By Andrew Warshaw
March 28 – Gianni Infantino is quickly learning the importance as FIFA president of saying the right things at the right time depending on where he is. Currently on a trip to South America, Infantino gave tentative backing to a joint World Cup bid by Argentina and Uruguay to commemorate the centenary tournament in 2030.
FIFA has only ever held one joint World Cup, in Japan and South Korea in 2002, but has since come out against future joint bids. However, during his election campaign Infantino suggested World Cups could be held in entire regions, let alone two countries.
Uruguay were awarded the first World Cup in 1930 and beat Argentina 4-2 in the final. Argentina staged and won the tournament in 1978 and eight years later clinched their second title in Mexico.
“An important theme is whether the World Cup can be played in more than one country,” said Infantino. “FIFA has been very much against a joint organisation. I personally support it. 2030 is a very important year and history must be respected.”
Having received strong support from CONMEBOL during the presidential race, Infantino is on a courtesy visit and is due to watch Uruguay take on Peru in a World Cup qualifier later today.
CONMEBOL and CONCACAF have been at the heart of the corruption scandal that has snared a raft of top-ranking officials but Infantino said FIFA wanted to work with South America to try and improve the situation.
“We will work hand in hand with CONMEBOL, because it is necessary that the reforms being implemented in FIFA are also applied here,” he told a news conference. “We will send experts to try to help you improve a situation which is not good from both financial and legal points of view.”
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