Chinanews client, Beijing, September 10 (Xingchen Liu) Recently, as the FIFA World Football Development Director and former Arsenal coach Wenger was interviewed by the media, he mentioned in detail the reform of "hosting the World Cup every two years" Intent, the topic once again became the focus.
After a long discussion and deliberation, there are still different voices from all parties regarding this reform.
Data map: On June 7, local time, the 2019 French Women's World Cup opened in Paris.
The picture shows French President Macron and his wife Brigitte and FIFA President Infantino attending the opening ceremony and watching the opening match.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Tomita
As early as May of this year, the 71st FIFA Congress passed the proposal put forward by the Saudi Arabian Football Association, which will conduct a feasibility study on the holding of the men's and women's World Cup every two years.
The 209 FIFA-affiliated associations at the meeting voted on the proposal. Of the 188 valid votes, 166 votes in favor and 22 against.
As one of the most influential sports events in the world, since the World Cup was first held in 1930, except for special circumstances, it has been held every four years, and the rhythm of the events has not changed.
However, with the rapid rise of the five major leagues, the Champions League and other events, world football has become more closely connected with the commercial market, and football fans have been further diverted.
Like the four-year Olympics, the World Cup is also facing a potential crisis of "attraction".
It is this change that has driven this change invisibly.
Data map: Arsenal used a small victory to offer Wenger off.
Wenger expressed his hope to improve the quality of football by increasing the frequency of matches and improving the rules of the game.
"In principle, a big game is held at the end of the club season each year, namely the World Cup or the Intercontinental Championship. At other times the players will stay in their clubs."
According to reports, in this reform, a separate qualifier period will be set up in October to replace the national team game days throughout the season, thereby avoiding players from taking long-distance flights to and from the competition.
"We must realize that people's demand for high-quality, fast-paced games is growing, and more and more eager." Therefore, in the reform supported by Wenger, it is envisaged that the World Cup will be held every two years, every two years. An intercontinental tournament is held, and the two events are staggered in time, which is equivalent to holding the final of an important competition every year.
FIFA President Infantino also said in an interview that there are too many irrelevant matches in the international arena, and it is necessary to reassess how to have a simple and feasible system.
Data map: Ronaldo.
In an online interview with FIFA recently, many world-famous players have appeared in the camp of supporters of the reform proposal, including Ronaldo, Tim Cahill, and Manchester United's legendary goalkeeper Schmeichel.
Ronaldo believes: "The World Cup once every two years will be great. This means that players like me who have suffered serious injuries will be less likely to miss the World Cup." When it comes to intercontinental matches, he thinks that the Champions League is held every year. It will not affect the level and reputation.
But regarding this reform proposal, there are also many voices of opposition.
Data map: UEFA President Alexander Ceferin (right) playing with refugee children on the court.
UEFA President Ceferin said that if this proposal is passed, European and South American countries will boycott the World Cup.
"Playing a big game every summer for a whole month is equivalent to murder for the players. If it really happens every two years, then the Women's World Cup and Olympic football matches will suffer a crash." "This is possible. It’s good for UEFA’s finances, but the problem is that doing so will'kill' the football and'kill' the players. I don't think the club will allow the players to leave. It will divide us completely."
At the same time, he also pointed out that the reason why the World Cup has become a world-wide football feast is precisely because of its preciousness.
And if it is changed to a two-year term, it will lose this advantage.
Including Welsh captain Bell, Manchester City CEO Soriano and others all expressed similar views.
Similarly, the league camp also expressed its opposition.
La Liga President Tevas said that the biennial World Cup will not only threaten the domestic league, but also the entire world football tradition, and will have a cascading effect on the football pyramid.
The senior leaders and coaches of many Bundesliga clubs also opposed the reform proposal. Bayern executive Salihamidzic was even more blunt, which is nonsense.
Data map: The final battle of the 2018 Russia World Cup at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
In the end, the French team defeated Croatia 4:2.
After the competition, the award ceremony was carried out in heavy rain.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Mao Jianjun
Starting from the 2026 World Cup, the expansion of the World Cup will be completed, increasing from 32 teams to 48 teams.
It is true that the expansion of the World Cup and the proposal to shorten the holding period will enable more countries to participate in it, which is expected to further enhance the appeal of the event.
But at the same time, the shortening of the cycle between international competitions also means that players need to play more games in the same time as in the past, which will pose greater physical and energy challenges.
The World Cup, the football feast that has been staged continuously in the past 100 years, has reached a crossroads. As for how it will continue to be told in the future, it still needs answers from everyone involved in football.
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