FIFA considering plans that will see the World Cup played every two years

FIFA confirmed Schedule for Qatar World Cup 2022

The world governing football body is said to be investigating a proposal that will see the World Cup held every two years in an attempt to spread the wealth of the global game.

The move also seeks to challenge the financial might of UEFA and Europe, where a constant pool of matches and tournaments is bringing in billions of dollars yearly.

The proposal, which was put forward by the president of the Saudi Arabia football federation Yasser Al Misehal was largely endorsed by the FIFA Congress, which saw 166 votes in favour of conducting a study on the proposal against 22 not in favour.

According to Al Misehal, the idea ‘was crucial for the global development of the game’.

The proposal will consider the impact of men’s and women’s biennial tournaments and how it will help the game in sporting and commercial terms.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino had earlier raised concerns over the ‘financial and sporting disparities’ in the global game – and the dominance of European football.

‘We have to look at everything to make football truly global,’ he said.

According to him, the world’s top 20 clubs are from just five European countries, and the World Cups from the semi-finals onwards are dominated by just Europe and South America out of six confederations.

The FIFA president described Al Misehal’s proposal, which was also endorsed by the Confederation of African Football, as ‘eloquent’.

The 51-year-old repeated his stance on a restructuring of the game to get the best out of its commercial appeal and general development.

‘It is time to review how the global game is structured and consider what is best for the future of our sport. Infantino said.

‘This should include whether the four-year cycle remains the optimum basis for how football is managed both from a competition and commercial perspective as well as overall football development.’

‘It is proposed that a decision is taken by the FIFA Congress to mandate and inform a feasibility study on what impact of playing the FIFA men’s World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup every two years could be and how this could feature within a revised international match calendar.’