Football - World Cup controversy continues

ZURICH (DPA) – The front seems to be getting tougher in the ongoing controversy over shortening the World Cup pace by two years.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is still hoping for a joint solution and after a meeting of the World Football Association’s council he indicated he would give up. “We want to reach this consensus. We’ll see what it looks like,” said Infantino in Zurich. He reported heated and contentious discussions between opponents and supporters of a world championship held every two years.

“There are associations that want a World Cup every two years. We have had strong reactions and heard a lot of negative, but also positive and enthusiastic statements,” Infantino said. Opponents include several representatives from Europe, including the German Football Association and the umbrella organization UEFA.

UEFA threatens boycott

Its president, Alexander Ceferin, also threatened a boycott from Europe. More than a dozen federations are considering ending their membership in the world governing body and leaving FIFA as a last resort. The Continental Union of South America also categorically rejects the plans.

“If those are the positions that you insist on, there will be no consensus,” Infantino said. Until an advisory summit for all 211 member federations on 20 December, the 51-year-old is now looking for solutions and unity. “We need to think about how we want to shape the football of the future and how we can ensure that our sport is meaningful, exciting and sustainable for generations to come around the world,” he said.

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According to “Build”, Infantino suffered the first loss of his ambitions. Accordingly, the council rejected the plan to vote on 20 December. Now, on that day, only a resolution should be prepared for the next FIFA Congress on March 31, 2022, in Doha. Among other things, the DFB had pushed for it – Infantino wanted to vote this year.

“responsibility too”

It is “not only an opportunity, but also a responsibility to open a new chapter,” he emphasized. The international sporting calendars for women and men are currently limited to 2023 and 2024 respectively.

A FIFA Technical Advisory Group, chaired by director Arsene Wenger, proposed hosting the World Cup every two years, and shortened the pace to continental tournaments such as the European Championship. As a result, the change should eventually take effect with 48 countries in the United States, Canada and Mexico for the first time since the 2026 World Cup. Associations’ tournaments will then be held in 2027. In the already planned EM year 2028, the next World Cup was due to take place again.

“We can only change something if we are convinced that everyone benefits,” Infantino said. The Swiss said: “It is also possible to change your mind and want to stick to tried and tested things.”