FIFA World Cup
FIFA is planning to host the world cup every two years. Currently, the world cup is being played every four years. FIFA’s chief of global football development Arsene Wenger is the driving force behind the idea.
Arsene Wenger
FIFA is set to reveal more details regarding the proposals on Thursday. Arsene Wenger is set to meet Former players and coaches in Qatar over the next two days. Wenger will be proposing his plans for the future of the game.
The former Arsenal manager also proposes to change the international calendar. He suggests having major tournaments every summer and fewer qualification matches during the rest of the year.
However, the UEFA, European clubs, and Western European players are against the proposal of the biennial World Cup. Meanwhile, the rest of the world could agree to the proposal of a biennial edition of the world cup.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation first came up with the proposals of the biennial World Cup in March. Subsequently, 166 of FIFA’s 211 member associations have voted in agreement to carry out a feasibility study. All 211 FIFA members are likely to vote in agreement with the proposal before 2021. The World Cup finals could be held every two years from the summer of 2028 if, all associations agree with the proposal.
FIFA gets most of its revenue from the World Cup and it does not have any other lucrative competitions to provide a steady stream of revenue. Whereas, UEFA gets its revenue from conducting the Champions League every season.
In an interview with L’Equipe, Wenger assured that there won’t be more games for the players. Wenger also said that players will get a guaranteed 25 days of rest and that the qualification matches will be held in two blocks in a year.
Southgate offers his thoughts
England manager Southgate feels that an entire generation of football fans will feel different at the idea of the biennial edition of the World Cup. He also said that the calendar must be reviewed.
