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Rabat – UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has warned that if the divisive proposal to schedule the World Cup every two years is adopted, European and South American countries may boycott the event.
From his position as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsene Wenger has been advocating for fundamental reform. The former Arsenal head coach wants major continental tournaments and the World Cup to be held every two years.
“While friendly games are becoming less important for the public, qualification matches are becoming less popular than they were 15 or 20 years ago. People nowadays demand high-stakes competitions that are simple to understand. That is why we must do it, for the sake of the fans and develop football,” Wenger defended his proposal to French outlet L’Equipe.
Ceferin’s response
In an interview with British newspaper The Times, Aleksander Ceferin sent a clear response to FIFA and it appears to be the strongest opposition to the idea of a bi-annual World Cup yet. The UEFA President hinted at a potential boycott of the competition.
“We can decide not to play in it. As far as I know, the South Americans are on the same page. So good luck with a World Cup like that. I think it will never happen as it is so much against the basic principles of football,” he told The Times.
The Slovenian clarified that it would be “a killer” for the players to “play every summer a one-month tournament, for the players it’s a killer. If it’s every two years it clashes with the women’s World Cup, with the Olympic football tournament.”
Ceferin also added that organizing the World Cup every two years would diminish the value of the mega-event. “The value is precisely because it is every four years, you wait for it, it’s like the Olympic Games, it’s a huge event. I don’t see our federations supporting that.”
The World Leagues Forum – an association of club leagues – issued on September 8 a statement saying that it “opposes any proposals to hold the football World Cup every two years and dilute the historical and traditional values of a competition that means so much to fans and players.”
Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, was also among those who have expressed opposition to the proposal.
Wenger’s response
Despite all the opposing voices, Wenger said that he is pleased with the responses to the World Cup plans.
“Overall, I think I have got a very positive response, but this decision is a democratic decision and will be made certainly by the 211 countries who are affiliated to FIFA. I think that we continue to consult people,” he said on Thursday.
The 71-year-old stated that he remains open for any further discussions, “I am not hesitant at all. I’m 100% convinced that what I propose is the right solution for the modern way to organize football. If people have better ideas, I’m open to it and I welcome every idea that is better than mine”.
Speaking to Sky Sports, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the proposal saying that there are too “many meaningless” games, “It’s not good for the health of the players, it’s not good for the competitions. There are too many meaningless matches. We need to look into what more can be done. We have to have a system which is simple and clear, which everyone understands.”
FIFA is currently examining the international match calendar, and a final vote on Wenger’s proposals will be held later. Even if the plan is successful, there is no guarantee that European clubs, where most international players are recruited, would agree with sending their players on national duty several months out of the year and risk injury.
