Soccer leagues resist FIFA plan for World Cup every 2 years

Posted September 08, 2021 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Argentina's Lionel Messi, signs his national anthem prior to the start of a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Brazil in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Sept.5, 2021. Argentina walked off the field shortly after the start of the South American classic when health officials came onto the pitch following coronavirus concerns about some Argentina players.(AP Photo/Andre Penner) The Associated Press

ZURICH (AP) - The global group of national soccer leagues said Wednesday it will oppose FIFA's plans to play the men's World Cup every two years.

'œA biennial World Cup would negatively disrupt the football economy and undermine players' welfare in a calendar that is already overloaded,'ť the World Leagues Forum said in a statement.

The leagues joined European clubs and European soccer body UEFA in resisting the proposal being pushed by FIFA's president, Gianni Infantino, and shaped by its director of global development, ArsÃ¨ne Wenger.

'œFIFA's leadership cannot be able to turn something exceptional into a commonplace event purely to serve their short-term interests,'ť said the Zurich-based leagues group, which includes the most influential leagues in soccer's five major continents.

Playing every two years would also 'œdilute the historical and traditional values of a competition that means so much to fans and players,'ť the leagues said.

Wenger will detail the biennial plans Thursday after a two-day conference of retired soccer greats hosted by FIFA in Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host nation.

The former Arsenal coach has said a decision could be made as soon as December, though the next FIFA congress of 211 member federations is likely in May.

Infantino has said FIFA must improve the quality of play and opportunities for soccer outside the stronghold of Europe and has already overseen an expansion of the tournament from 32 teams to 48 at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

The World Leagues Forum said it 'œwill ensure FIFA is not allowed to make unilateral decisions on the future of football against the interests of leagues, clubs, players and fans.'ť

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FILE - In this Aug. 14, 2021 file photo, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah runs with the ball during the English Premier League soccer match against Norwich City at Carrow Road Stadium in Norwich, England. Egypt's soccer association on Saturday, Sept. 4, says Salah has arrived in Gabon to join the Pharaohs for their World Cup qualifying match. (AP photo/Rui Vieira, File) The Associated Press

South Korea's Son Heung-min dribbles during the final round of their Asian zone group A qualifying soccer match between South Korea and Iraq for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Seoul World Cup stadium in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) The Associated Press

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