Infantino thinks his plan for a biennial World Cup could give hope to people who risk their lives crossing the sea. 1:45.
Infantino linked his plan for biennial World Cups to giving more hope to Africans who risk their lives crossing the sea to Europe.
In a speech to European lawmakers, Infantino said football was being dominated by the few who have everything and that it needed to be more global and inclusive.
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Infantino told the Parliamentary Assembly that they need to find ways to include the entire world in order to give hope to Africans so that they don't need to cross the Mediterranean in order to find a better life.
Spanish authorities said at least 18 people died and more than 300 were rescued from several boats trying to reach the Canary Islands from North Africa.
We need to give dignity, not by giving charity, but by allowing the rest of the world to participate, Infantino told lawmakers at a session he attended.
The World Cup for men and women would be held every two years, instead of four, under a proposal launched in September. More editions of the World Cup will lead to more countries playing in it, according to Infantino.
It would raise billions of dollars and increase funding for its member federations.
Europe has dominated the World Cup in recent years, with Italy, Spain, Germany and France winning the past four tournaments, but Infantino wants to change that.
Africa will have nine entries instead of five in the World Cup in 2026, which was one of Infantino's first big projects. Europe will get 16.
Infantino told lawmakers at the 47-nation Council of Europe which promotes human rights, democracy and the rule of law that there is no need for additional possibilities.
Infantino said that football shouldn't tell the world to hand over money but watch it on TV.
We have to make football global, we have to make it truly inclusive, like the values that have built Europe, and we are bringing that as well all over the world.
Infantino acknowledged that maybe the World Cup every two years is not the answer.
The push for biennial World Cups has been uncertain since a December online meeting of its members where a vote had once been expected but was not called. South American soccer body CON MEBOL is threatening to boycott the World Cup.
They said that more World Cups could affect the balance between national and club team football.
The prestige of the World Cup would be diminished if it were doubled, said Kylian Mbappe, a World Cup winner with France.
The International Olympic Committee has publicly criticized the plan to put the World Cup in direct competition with the Summer Games by 2032. In December, the IOC challenged Infantino over football's plan to acquire more space and commercial income in the global schedule.
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