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World football's governing body is expected to arrange World Cup fixtures featuring leading European nations after midnight UK time in the upcoming year in an effort to combat high temperature problems that affected the recent club tournament.

It had been anticipated that tournament kick-off times would follow the ones from the Club World Cup, where the first matches started at 17:00 BST, then 20:00, 11 PM and 02:00.

However, while 17:00 and 8 PM would suit European-based TV networks, the first would be a noon start on the United States Eastern seaboard and the second a noon kick-off on the Western seaboard.

Footballers experienced intense heat at the recent club tournament.

PSG coach Luis Enrique expressed concern over his team competing in almost 40 degree heat in their Club World Cup opener against the Spanish side in LA, which started at 12:00 in the local timezone.

Numerous coaches and footballers suffered from the high temperatures and mugginess, with Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez reporting dizziness while playing.

Important Lessons Learned from Club World Cup

When questioned at his speech at the Leaders Conference in Twickenham for the key lessons learned from the Club World Cup, the football official, in his role as president of the North and Central American Confederation oversees the tournament, replied: "Match start times."

With 48 national sides at the World Cup, there are 11 straight days in the group stage that have four games, each played at different times, where midday starts were expected to be commonplace.

Although five out of sixteen stadiums hosting matches in the United States, Canada and the Mexican host either have covered stands as standard or a sliding roof that can offer shade, it is not feasible for all the early kick-offs to be arranged in them.

Discussions Underway on Match Scheduling

When pressed to elaborate on his remarks, the official, who is also a deputy head of world governing body the global football authority, said: "Start times are always an issue in our region because the summer months bring high temperatures in the Canadian host and the United States."

"We are holding discussions every day with European media and other world media, in terms of what's best and which are the stadiums that matches can be held at 3 in the afternoon. That's all in the mix at present."

"After the actual schedule is released following the group stage draw, we will strive to ensure this factor is accounted for. Can we guarantee that each match will be absolutely perfect in terms of kick-off time, for television audiences? I don't know."

Political Statements and Tournament Control

Montagliani wouldn't be drawn on the recent statement by American leader the former president to relocate certain matches away from cities he considered "not secure."

However, he made it clear the move is not Trump's to make as only FIFA holds the authority to shift games.

"Should I need to react whenever a political figure makes a statement, whether it's a head of state, or senator, or elected official, or including in Canada, or or in Mexico, then I would not be fulfilling my role," he said.

"In truth, our attention is on the 16 venues."

"It's FIFA's tournament. All decisions rest with them. It's their jurisdiction. With all due respect to sitting political leaders, the sport is bigger than them."

Possible Expansion of England's Clubs at Future Club World Cup

Montagliani additionally mentioned the possibility of more England-based clubs being added in the next club tournament in the year 2029.

A limit was set of two teams from each nation applied to the recent tournament, with eventual winners Chelsea and Manchester City representing the English league after both had won the European Cup in the prior four years.

The non-participation of English top-flight champions the Merseyside club was especially notable, as was that of the Catalan giants, who won La Liga last season.

Montagliani appeared to indicate the next tournament could be expanded beyond 32 teams, which would raise the possibility of a third England-based team earning a place.

"You can't just have people participate because they have a historic reputation, right?" he remarked.

"They should earn entry based on merit come in."

"I support renewing it all, perhaps regarding increasing the size but it's unclear what the new total might be. 48 is a possibility. But can it be done? How does it work? Which clubs would qualify."

"The more significant issue is the format right in terms of limiting it to two from each country?"