Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa, claims that following re-election, football will need "far more" attention.
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| Gianni Infantino |
Last Monday, the organization that oversees international football introduced a new 32-team Club World Cup as well as an expanded 2026 World Cup.
Nonetheless, La Liga and the player unions have criticized the increase of the football schedule.
Infantino responded, "When I hear there is too much football, yeah, maybe in some regions, but not everywhere.
"In actuality, hardly enough football is played in the majority of the world.
"If we want football to spread internationally, we need a lot more competitions, not less.
Every two years in March, when teams are not required to participate in qualifying matches, we are debating the organization of a women's Club World Cup and a Fifa World Series.
The number of participating teams will rise from 32 to 48 for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States, México, and Canada.
When Fifa revised the intended format of 16 three-team groups to 12 groups of four, the tournament will now have 104 matches rather than the projected 80.
In addition, there will be a new phase of the last 32 teams, and countries will play eight matches instead of seven to win the tournament.
Starting in June 2025, the 32-team Club World Cup will be held every four years.
The Professional Footballers' Association and Fifpro, a union for players, have expressed concern about the demands placed on them, while La Liga has warned that Fifa's intentions demonstrate a "total contempt" for the football community.
Infantino, who was re-elected at the 73rd Fifa Congress on Thursday in Kigali, Rwanda, also spoke about the potential introduction of a salary ceiling for football.
The Fifa statutes and our rules both need improvement, he remarked.
"We will look at the transfer system and continue to develop our good governance principles. We may also have a conversation about how to increase the transparency of transfer fees and compensation.
"We must consider how we can implement a cap, which may be essential. Along with all interested parties, we'll examine it and see what we can do."
In his final remarks, Infantino mentioned the women's game and added that the total prize money for the 2023 Women's World Cup will be $150 million (£124.3 million), up from $15 million (£12.4 million) in 2015.
The prize money for the men's World Cup held in Qatar last year was $440 million (£364.7 million).
Having equal payouts for the 2026 men's and 2027 women's World Cups is Infantino's stated goal.
The 52-year-old was elected without opposition for another four-year term after succeeding Sepp Blatter as Fifa president in 2016. He held the position in 2019 as well.
Fifa has considered organizing the World Cup every two years under Infantino's leadership, a plan that has drawn opposition from federations, leagues, and players.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was marred by controversy as the nation's treatment of migrant workers, position on same-sex couples, and human rights record all took center stage in the run-up to the event.
Many European countries had intended to wear a OneLove armband during matches to encourage diversity and inclusion but decided against it due to the possibility of facing Fifa punishment.
"It is an amazing honour and privilege, and a great responsibility," said Infantino following his re-election.
"I swear to keep supporting Fifa and football all across the world.
I know there are many people who love me, but I also know there are others who despise me. I love you all.