Former Arsenal boss and FIFA Chief of Global Development, Arsene Wenger has explained the ins and outs of FIFA's proposal to have the World Cup every two years instead of four.
The proposal that hasn't been accepted by the entire football world has become FIFA's biggest proposal because it's about the association and the world's flagship football event.
While speaking with L'Equippe on Friday, Wenger revealed that “The goal is to keep improving the quality of football by increasing the frequency of competitions, alongside an improvement to the laws of the game. The international calendar will remain stable until 2024 since it's already set.”
“But after 2024, there's a chance to change it. I would like to increase the frequency of competition, in a way that's led by simplicity, a clear calendar, and a desire to only organize competitions that have real meaning to them, which are those which allow an improvement in the level of football,” Wenger stated.
When asked about how more editions of the World Cup would impact players, he said “There will be the same number of matches as before, and players will go on international duty less often.
“The idea is really to improve the level of play and competitions, there's no financial incentive behind it, especially as FIFA redistributes the money to all of the federations around the world to develop football in their countries.
“For the players, there won't be more matches, and there will be a compulsory rest time after international competitions – 25 days at least, as I see it.”
Wenger also revealed that the idea has been accepted by football icons having examined it critically and concluding that it's not a bad idea.
“Generally the players are in favour. Ronaldo Fenomeno, Kaká, Mascherano, Gary Lineker are all in favour. It's an idea that initially evokes some reticence, but once we've explained it the guys go home thinking: in the end, it's not a bad idea. They change their minds”
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago
