Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1139344
30 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 JULY 2019 SPORTS FOOTBALL FIFA president Gianni Infan- tino wants to increase the size of the Women's World Cup to 32 teams and double its prize mon- ey, and launch a women's Club World Cup. After calling the ongoing tour- nament in France "the best women's World Cup ever", In- fantino set out a five-point plan to make sure football "seizes this opportunity" . Bidding for the 2023 tourna- ment - which has yet to be allo- cated and was set to contain 24 sides - may have to restart to ac- commodate the extra teams. Infantino also said the world governing body wants a wom- en's World League for national sides - similar to the Uefa Na- tions League - which would include promotion and relega- tion. He also plans to double a planned $500m (£400m) in- vestment in women's football in the next four years, saying Fifa has unprecedented levels of reserves and "we don't need all that money in Swiss banks - they have enough" . More teams, more money This year's World Cup has seen record TV audiences in the UK and beyond, with Infantino keen to capitalise on the success of the tournament by expanding it from 2023. Prize money for the 2019 World Cup was doubled to $30m (£24m) but will go up to $60m (£48m) for the next tour- nament. The 2018 men's World Cup in Russia had a total fund of $400m (£320m), with winners France taking home $38m (£30m). " It's a great thing, this World Cup, but then people forget, they do other things. It's our job to make sure that they don't forget and we don't just say: 'See you in four years,'" said the 49-year-old Swiss-Italian. "That's why I propose to the Fifa council and to all our mem- bers - who have to embrace the development of women's foot- ball. "We have already more than doubled the prize money for the World Cup this year, but we will double it again for the next World Cup - I am very confident that we can do that. "We will have to act quickly to decide if we are to increase it for 2023. If we do, we should reopen the bidding process to allow eve- ryone to have a chance or maybe co-host. Nothing is impossible." 'Clubs can shine on the world stage' The Club World Cup has exist- ed in men's football since 2000. The winners of the Champions League face continental cham- pions from Africa, Asia, Oceania and North and South America. Liverpool will take part in this year's competition, set to be played in Qatar in December. The Fifa president believes the first women's event could be played in 2020. "I would like to propose a Club World Cup for women, starting as soon as possible," he said. " A real Club World Cup. We can only develop national football if we develop club football as well. "It can be played every year to expose clubs all over the world. Clubs would invest even more in women's football to shine on the world stage." Women's World Cup Fifa wants to increase teams, double prize money The USA celebrate their semi-final victory over England