Uefa urges Fifa to stop pushing World Cup plan

EUROPEAN football’s governing body Uefa has urged Fifa to stop pushing its plan for a two-year World Cup and instead to engage in “genuine consultation” over reform of the international match calendar.

Fifa is conducting a feasibility study into holding the World Cup on a biennial basis, a change from the current fouryearly cycle, but has made no secret of its desire to switch to such a format. Arsene Wenger, the former Arsenal manager who is now Fifa’s head of Global Football Development, said this month he was “100% convinced” of the switch.

“Uefa is disappointed with the methodology adopted, which has so far led to radical reform projects being communicated and openly promoted before having been given, together with other stakeholders, the chance to participate in any consultation meeting," Uefa said in a statement yesterday.

Uefa said there were numerous concerns about the impact of such a switch including the “dilution” of the World Cup’s value. | Reuters