FIFA will perform a feasibility research on holding the World Cup and the ladies’s World Cup each two years after backing a proposal at its annual congress on Friday.
The two competitions are at present held each 4 years however the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) put ahead a proposal for a research of the influence of switching to each two years.
“We imagine the way forward for soccer is at a important juncture. The many points that soccer has confronted have now been additional exacerbated by the continued pandemic,” said SAFF president Yasser Al-Misehal.
“It is time to review how the global game is structured and to consider what is best for the future of our sport. This should include whether the current four year cycle remains the optimum basis for how football is managed both from a competition and commercial perspective,” he added.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino known as it an “eloquent and detailed proposal” with 166 national federations voting in favour with 22 voting against.
Infantino said the study would look into the qualification systems for the tournaments.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday called for an overhaul of the international football calendar beyond 2024, insisting on a requirement to start with a “blank sheet of paper”.
“Let me be very clear: the start line isn’t ‘the calendar is full and so nothing changes’,” he told the 71st FIFA Congress.
“The starting point is the exact opposite of that. We have a blank sheet, we are open to take on board all views and opinions about how we can make the international calendar better.”
Infantino reiterated his intention to “discover a date” for a Club World Cup which he wants to see extended to 24 teams, despite widespread opposition to the plan.
However, he argued at length Friday for FIFA to play a key role in rewriting the calendar.
He said the organisation is the “only body” that “generates” and “redistributes” its revenues “world wide” in contrast to continental confederations and leagues.
“Let me clarify,” he added Friday.
“Today, large leagues generate billions in revenues from all around the world – and these revenues are distributed the place? To the 18-20 golf equipment of their leagues, with a small proportion getting into solidarity.”
He added: “The only body which is generating revenues from all over the world and redistributing and investing all over the world in solidarity is FIFA.”
(With inputs from Agencies)
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