May 20 – Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) president Yasser Al Misehal has explained his organisation’s proposal for a feasibility study into staging the World Cup on a biennial basis as “a chance for players to participate more in their peak years”, echoing the sentiment of FIFA’s head of global development Arsene Wenger.
The proposal, applicable to both the men’s and women’s versions of the World Cup, from SAFF is item 10.2 on the agenda for Friday’s 71st FIFA Congress and is one of three from member associations that will be open for discussion amongst the 211 members at their annual meeting. In an interview with Al Arabiya, Al Misehal explained the proposal’s rationale as benefitting players.
He said: “The World Cup is the biggest show on earth followed by billions, staging it every four years doesn’t give players the chance to take part in their peak years. Most will play only once or twice. We suggested to FIFA to conduct a feasibility study over the effects of having the World Cup on a biennial basis. With our suggestion, we attached a two page summary and on Friday a video of three minutes.”
The proposal, however, comes at a time when football’s calendar has been more congested than ever, with leagues and confederations struggling to finish all required fixtures on time. FIFPro among others has repeatedly warned that the current fixture congestion threatens to exhaust players and can jeopardize their health. The industry has also been ravaged economically by the coronavirus pandemic.
“The matter requires intensive study to include how tournaments in various continents will be affected as well as the qualifying process for the World Cup,” said Al Misehal. “Infrastructure has changed drastically around the world since the first World Cup in 1930 and we thought we suggest this change to FIFA to study it and the final decision will be by taken by the FIFA congress in 2022 upon conclusion of the feasibility study.”
FIFA generates $6 billion in revenue from the World Cup, the quadrennial high mass of the global game and a sporting event unrivalled in terms of popularity and commercial appeal. A feasibility study into a biennial World Cup could point at increased revenues from staging the tournament on a more frequent basis, but with broadcast revenues plateauing and the industry as a whole in crisis, the idea could be a very dangerous one.
Contact the writer of this story Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1736443350labto1736443350ofdlr1736443350owedi1736443350sni@o1736443350fni1736443350