By Samindra Kunti
May 19 – A World Cup every two years? It was once mooted by former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, but the idea could gain traction again after the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) asked FIFA to conduct a feasibility study on the impact of playing both the men’s and women’s global finals on a biennial basis.
The proposal from SAFF, is item 10.2 on the agenda for Friday’s 71st FIFA Congress and reads: “ Proposal by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation requesting a feasibility study to be carried out on the impact of playing the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup every two years.”
The proposal for a feasibility study is one of three from member associations that will be open for discussion amongst the 211 members at their virtual congress. Quite how much discussion can be had within such a large group remains to be seen, though the idea of doubling the frequency of World Cups will be guaranteed opposition from a number of federations – particularly those in Europe – even at the feasibility stage. They will want the idea killed off before it can be properly formed as they battle to develop and deliver their own calendars.
In 2018, CONMEBOL president Alexandre Dominguez, whose relationship with FIFA has become strained, rekindled the idea of biennial global finals and it was revived again in March by former Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger, currently FIFA’s head of global development. They both argued that players deserve more chances to play at the World Cup. With the proposal of the Saudis, the idea returns to the highest echelons in world football.
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has long nurtured his relationship with Saudi Arabia, courting the Kingdom repeatedly. His proposal for a $25 billion sell off FIFA competitions to Saudi-backed Softbank, was a move that was curtailed by his own Council. The Zurich supremo has also met on various occasions with Saudi prince and strongman Mohammed bin Salman.
The Saudi proposal dovetails with Infantino’s expansionist vision of the game. Under his presidency, the World Cup finals have been increased to 48 teams, with the new format expected to bring in bumper crowds across the US, Mexico and Canada in 2026 and to generate increases in revenue for the ruling body.
After the success of the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, FIFA and Infantino were quick to turn the next finals in 2023, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, into a 32-team competition. The world federation also wanted to launch a 24-team Club World Cup tournament in China this year, but those plans, one of Infantino’s favourite pet projects, have been delayed because of the coronavirus crisis.
The Saudi proposal, however, comes at a very delicate time in world football. Clubs, countries and federations have been ravaged by the pandemic and the game is navigating one of the most congested calendars ever, leaving little leeway for the introduction of more tournaments with concerns raised over players’ health.
The recent, spectacular disintegration of the European Super League demonstrated as well that bad ideas in football can’t simply be railroaded into existence and rubber-stamped. For FIFA’s members the big question is whether increasing frequency would kill the unique power of the World Cup which remains the pinnacle of the game in the hearts and minds of millions as the ultimate quadrennial high mass, generating $6 billion in revenue for Zurich. The danger is that FIFA could kill its own golden goose.
A feasibility study would arguably answer those questions, in theory. It would also likely throw instability and uncertainty into football’s commercial markets at a time when broadcast revenues are under threat and FIFA has failed to deliver any new major sponsors. For many the study would be the first step on a potentially dangerous road.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1736443541labto1736443541ofdlr1736443541owedi1736443541sni@o1736443541fni1736443541