WHAT IS THE PROPOSED PLAN FOR THE BIANNUAL FIFA WORLD CUP?
On Thursday, FIFA made public its proposal to conduct the men’s World Cup every two years instead of the current format of every four years.
The main plan is to restructure the schedule of International Football from 2024, and there will be more top-level tournaments and fewer qualification games.
The present system where there are season breaks throughout the season for international games could be replaced by a single block of qualifying games in October.
WHY IS UEFA AGAINST THIS IDEA?
- UEFA has said that FIFA has not yet replied to its request to sit down for talks regarding biannual world cup issues.
- Infantino has roped in Former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger and retired football players to push this agenda for the overhaul of world football. UEFA is entirely against this plan as it believes that this is a promotional campaign of unilaterally pre-determined concepts and not based on consultation.
- If the biannual world cup proposal goes ahead, it will have huge ramifications on football worldwide. Club competitions, European championships, and even the Olympics would get disrupted.
- UEFA is not happy that FIFA has started promoting these reform projects without involving shareholders in the consultation process.
- UEFA president Aleksandar Ceferino has made it clear that Europe might be forced to forfeit the world cup if the decision to hold biannual world cups goes through. In case that happens, many countries will not get to play in the world cup.
- UEFA also recently released a statement saying that this plan is dangerous. It will lead to the dilution of the world’s top sporting event, whose quadrennial occurrence gave it a mystery that has captivated the minds of millions who grew up watching the game.
- The statement further added that FIFA’s feasibility study must consider many other factors like player’s mental and physical health, supporters, the football eco-system, youth football, and the global sports system.
- There will be a lack of sporting opportunities for the weaker national teams as regular games will be replaced by final tournaments.
- This new system would also mean that a men’s major football event would take place every year.
- There is a risk that because men’s football tournaments will be held every year, women’s tournaments will be overshadowed and deprived of slots.
CONCLUSION
I completely agree with UEFA. After careful consideration, such a decision will have to be taken since it can affect football tournaments worldwide. What is your opinion on FIFA’s proposal about a Biannual World cup?
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