FIFA Chief, Arsene Wenger, has backed plans for the World Cup to be staged every two years, insisting “it is what the fans want”. The footballing competition comes up every four years with Qatar set to host the next World Cup at the end of 2022.
However, the world football governing body, FIFA, is carrying out a feasibility study to consider making the World Cup a biennial event. The plan would certainly appease broadcasters but has been opposed by leagues and clubs for fears over player burnout.
The former Arsenal manager, who is now head of global football development at FIFA, argued that a revamp of the international football calendar will cater to players’ well-being.
“I always had the feeling that the many shorter breaks were rather unfavourable for the players,” he told German outlet Kicker.
“Those were always moments of uncertainty. How are the players feeling mentally afterwards? Do you come back hurt?”
Wenger cited the example of Bayern Munich’s striker, Robert Lewandowski, who sustained a knee injury while on duty for Poland in March and missed six games for Bayern Munich, including both legs of their Champions League clash with the French outfit, Paris Saint-Germain.
“That ruined Bayern’s entire Champions League season,” Wenger said.
“The national teams can meet in October, play seven qualifying games for a month and then play the finals of a tournament in June.
“We want to reduce the number of games – that’s very important because we can see the condition of the players.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he was open to any new ideas for the post-2024 football calendar, including the possibility of reducing the number of international breaks.
Wenger added: “More knockout matches, fewer qualifying games. That’s what the fans want.
“Think of it this way: 2026 the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada; 2027 a European Championship and the other continental tournaments; 2028 another World Cup; and so on.
“We guarantee a period of rest after every tournament.”
