FIFA invite the FA and SFA to discuss biennial World Cup proposal

Daniel Brown

Arsene Wenger wants to hold the World Cup every two years

FIFA have invited the FA and SFA to attend a summit later this month to discuss Arsene Wenger’s proposal to hold the World Cup every two years.

The summit, which is taking place online on September 30, will allow the FA and SFA – along with other member associations in world football – to discuss the international calendar, as well as Wenger’s proposed idea to hold a biennial World Cup.

Wenger – who currently holds the position of FIFA’s head of global development – is keen on having a World Cup every two years, and his proposal is set to form a key part of the summit due to the impact that it would have on the already gruelling international schedule.

FIFA has invited member associations to an online summit on 30 September in next stage of planned reform of international match calendar, inc Arsene Wenger's biennial WC plan. FIFA: "There is a broad consensus within the game that the IMC should be reformed and improved."

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) September 20, 2021

“There is a broad consensus within the game that the international match calendar should be reformed and improved,” a statement released by FIFA on Monday stated.

“Following invitations to stakeholders, including all confederations, at the beginning of September, discussions are being organised in the coming weeks.

“On 15 September 2021, FIFA also invited its member associations to a first online summit on 30 September 2021.

“This is one of several opportunities to establish a constructive and open debate, at a global and regional level, over the coming months and FIFA is looking forward to it.

“As this is a football project, in which the global interests of football should come first, this process started with players and coaches from all over the world.

“Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) have been established under the stewardship of Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, and two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup-winning coach Jill Ellis. The debate will also involve fans from around the globe.

“FIFA is committed to being a forum for meaningful debate by engaging with a wide range of stakeholders including fans and looks forward to discussions on the sustainable growth of football in all regions of the world, at all levels.”

If the former Arsenal manager’s proposed change goes ahead, the international calendar would see a major finals every year, with tournaments such as the European Championship and the Copa America taking place in odd years, and the World Cup being played in even years.

Included in the proposal is a reduction in the amount of international windows which take place during the season, with the windows set to take place on ‘one or at most two’ occasion(s) in October and March. Additionally, no national side would play any more than seven matches (including playoffs).

The proposal has received mixed reactions, with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin keen to express his opposition to the prospect, whilst South American confederation CONMEBOL labelled the idea as ‘highly unviable’.

On the other hand, CONCACAF (the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) and the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) have stated that they are ‘open’ to the proposal of a World Cup every two years.

In a survey released by FIFA last week, it was reportedly found that a ‘majority’ of respondents – who were labelled as ‘football fans’ – were in favour of a more frequent World Cup.

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