Infantino may be looking to boost his standing within FIFA before seeking re-election next yearGETTY IMAGES
FIFA President Gianni Infantino over the next week "will ask members of his executive council to approve plans for a new global women’s league," according to Tariq Panja of the N.Y. TIMES. The competition "would feature 16 of the world’s top women’s national teams and begin play" as early as November '19. FIFA also "plans to add four regional leagues to encourage the development of women’s soccer globally and to allow the best performers from those regions a chance to win promotion to the top division in a system of promotion and relegation." The move is "part of an effort to increase the visibility, quality and appeal of women’s soccer and to boost Infantino’s standing before his bid for re-election next year." Investing in the women’s game was a "plank in Infantino’s campaign platform" in '15. Under the proposed format, the 16 teams "will be divided into four groups and play in minitournaments before the winners face off in semifinals and a final to determine a champion." The top teams "would only play in an annual November window." The "rationale behind the idea is to grow interest in the women’s game." The new event also "would give countries that have not had a chance to host a FIFA-branded event the opportunity to hold one, something that plays well for Infantino as he prepares to run for a second term" (NYTIMES.com, 3/15).
