https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/22/uefa-urges-fifa-to-stop-pushing-biennial-world-cup-plan?sf151581582=1

European football’s governing body UEFA has urged FIFA to stop pushing its plan for a two-year World Cup and instead to engage in “genuine consultation” about reform of the international match calendar.

FIFA, the governing body of world football, is conducting a feasibility study into holding the tournament on a biennial basis, a change from the current four-yearly cycle, but has made no secret of its desire to switch to such a format



Arsene Wenger, the former Arsenal manager who is now FIFA’s head of Global Football Development, said this month he was “100 percent convinced” of the switch.

“UEFA is disappointed with the methodology adopted, which has so far led to radical reform projects being communicated and openly promoted before having been given, together with other stakeholders, the chance to participate in any consultation meeting,” UEFA said in a statement on Wednesday.

It added there were numerous concerns about the effects of such a switch, including the “dilution” of the World Cup’s value, risks of players being over-worked and women’s football suffering from annual men’s tournaments.

“These are just some of the serious concerns that the FIFA proposal provokes at first glance and they cannot be dispelled simply with unsubstantiated promotional slogans on the supposed benefits of a thicker calendar for final tournaments,” the statement added.

UEFA said it had asked, on September 14, for a meeting with FIFA and the 55 European member associations but has yet to get a reply.

“Players are not robots… I do not think it’s a very good idea.”#ENG head coach Sarina Wiegman is adamant a #WorldCup should not be held every two years despite FIFA’s plans.

The #Lionesses boss wants more protection for players. pic.twitter.com/iKlxAMI79e

— Anton Toloui (@SkyAnton) September 20, 2021