FIFA Council Approves Men’s and Women’s International Match Calendars, FIFA World Cup 2026 Format, and More In Kigali Rwanda
Written by Taiwo Paul on March 15, 2023
The FIFA Council recently approved several key decisions related to men’s and women’s competitions, including the approval of the respective International Match Calendars for 2025-2030 and 2024-2025.
The Men’s International Match Calendar 2025-2030 includes a 16-day, four-match window in late September/early October to be introduced in 2026, while the Women’s International Match Calendar 2024-2025 features six international windows per year, including the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament and the Concacaf W Gold Cup. The FIFA Council also established a dedicated task force on player welfare and unanimously approved additional transfer reforms.
The council approved the proposed amendment to the FIFA World Cup 2026 competition format, from 16 groups of three to 12 groups of four, and the key principles of access for the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup 2025, which will be played every four years.
In addition to the approved match calendars and competition formats, the FIFA Council also unanimously approved additional transfer reforms aimed at promoting transparency, protecting minors, and ensuring solidarity mechanisms. These include measures such as mandatory training compensation and solidarity contributions, a ban on bridge transfers, and the introduction of a mandatory registration period for minors.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino commented on the importance of these reforms, stating, “The transfer system is a cornerstone of professional football, and it is important that it operates in a fair and transparent manner. The measures we have approved today will help ensure that the transfer system benefits everyone involved, from players and clubs to fans and the wider football community.”
Overall, the decisions made by the FIFA Council during their meeting in Rwanda represent a significant step forward for the future of international football, with a focus on promoting player welfare, enhancing competition formats, and ensuring transparency and fairness in the transfer system.
