Fifa intends to organize an "online summit" on September 30 to consult its member federations on the reform of the international calendar, announced Monday the body based in Zurich, which plans in particular a more frequent World Cup, organized every two years .

The international federation wishes to "launch a new phase of consultation around the international women's and men's calendars, which expire at the end of 2023 and 2024 respectively," she wrote in a press release.

“Following the invitations sent in early September to stakeholders, including all confederations, discussions will be organized in the coming weeks,” continues the body.

"An open and constructive debate"

"Fifa has also invited its member associations to a first online summit on September 30, 2021. This will be one of the many opportunities to establish an open and constructive debate at the global and regional level in the coming months", fact- she be worth.

The debate around the international calendar and a World Cup every two years has been revived in recent days in

L'Equipe

by Arsène Wenger, now director of development for Fifa.

This recommends a selection competition each year, alternating World and continental competitions, such as the Euro or the Copa America, while grouping together the qualifications in the month of October alone, or in October and March.

The opposition of UEFA and Conmebol

UEFA, the powerful European football confederation, opposed it, assuring that a biennial World Cup instead of being organized every four years, "would dilute" the "jewel" of world football, according to its president Aleksander Ceferin .

The South American Conmebol also expressed its refusal, affirming that this project had "no sporting justification".

Fifa President Gianni Infantino has promised decisions will be made by the end of the year.

In this opinion campaign, Fifa also released an online poll Thursday showing a slight majority of football fans supporting the idea of ​​a "more frequent" World Cup.

This study contrasts with the clear opposition expressed by dozens of national supporters' associations.

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What is behind the Fifa poll in favor of a World Cup every two years?

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