HERMAN GIBBS: FIFA AT A CROSSROADS OVER FUTURE OF THE WORLD CUP

THE Federation Internationale de Football Association (Fifa), football’s world governing body, is at a crossroads since the World Cup has become an object of heated debate among the member confederations.

Fifa have proposed to convert football’s most prestigious competition, the World Cup tournament, from a quadrennial to a biennial event.

It has caused an outcry from the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) and the powerful Union of European Football Associations (Uefa), whose member countries have won the World Cup more times than any other confederation.

The rest of the World Cup conquests have been racked up by Conmebol members.

On the opposite of this debate is the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Asian Football Confederation (AFC). They have all warmed to the proposal.

Fifa will discuss the matter at their Council Meeting (37 members) and the Fifa Congress (209 members), in December.

If the proposal survives both stages, it is likely the plans for a biennial World Cup will be decided by a vote of Fifa’s members.

In that event, there is a strong possibility that the minnow confederations, who have the majority of the votes, will swing the verdict for a biennial event.

A few years ago, former Fifa president Sepp Blatter mooted the idea of a World Cup every two years.

Earlier this year, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (Saff) requested for Fifa to conduct a feasibility study of playing both the men’s and women’s events on a biennial basis.

Fifa called for a vote on the request, and 166 member associations voted to approve the study.

After that, Arsene Wenger, Fifa’s chief of global football development, ran with the idea and added his support. He was met with opposition, mainly from officials who felt the World Cup could lose its prestige.

“The World Cup is such a huge event that I don’t think it will diminish the prestige,” the former Arsenal manager responded.

“You want to be the best in the world, and you want to be the best in the world every year.

“I’m not on an ego trip. I’ve been asked to help to shape the calendar of tomorrow, I consult the whole world.”

The next high-profile official to lend support was Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who was repeatedly told a biennial event would impact negatively on the World Cup appeal.

Infantino pointed out major sports events like the Uefa Champions League and Wimbledon are held every year, but has never lost their appeal.

“The prestige of an event depends on its quality, not its frequency,” said Infantino. “You have the Super Bowl every year, Wimbledon or the Champions League every year, and everyone is excited and waiting for it.

“A World Cup with 48 teams (from 2026) has already been decided. Whether it will take place every two years or four years, that is under consultation.

“I definitely believe in having more prestigious events, whether the World Cup or anything else. Precisely because it is a magic tournament is perhaps why it should happen more often.”

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin had led the charge for the World Cup to retain its four-year cycle. He warned European countries could boycott the tournament if it became a biennial event.

“We can decide not to play in it,” said Ceferin. “As far as I know, the South Americans are on the same page, so good luck with a World Cup like that.

“To play every summer a onemonth tournament, for the players, it’s a killer. If it’s every two years, it clashes with the Women’s World Cup, with the Olympic football tournament.

“The value is precisely because it is every four years, you wait for it. It’s like the Olympic Games, it’s a huge event. I don’t see our federations supporting that.”

Uefa’s stand has the backing of the powerful Fifpro, the global representative for professional footballers.

They have opposed any proposals for a Fifa World Cup every two years.

“Players have natural physiological limits and an inherent interest in the sustainable advancement of the game,” said Fifpro general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann.

“The success of the sport depends on their physical and mental well-being.

“What we decide at the peak of the game impacts thousands of professionals around the world. Any plans to expand competitions must integrate their collective experience and views.”

In Africa, Fifa members welcomed the idea. Amaju Pinnick, the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, said it was a “win-win” situation for Fifa’s confederations.

“It is not only Africa that’s excited about the idea of a biennial World Cup, Asia and Oceania also want it,” said Pinnick.

“It is a win-win situation for all the Confederations. If the World Cup were to be played biennially, it would bring about rapid development to our football.”

In South Africa, the national association, the South African Football Association (Safa) have thrown their weight behind the suggestion of a World Cup, for both men and women, being held after every two years.

Safa president Danny Jordaan said a biennial event translates into more opportunities for African teams.

“The Safa CEO (Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe) has been mandated to write an official letter to Fifa confirming Safa’s decision,” said Jordaan.

“The National Executive Committee (NEC) has resolved that having the Fifa World Cup will help the African continent a great deal, as more tournaments translate to more opportunities for African teams.”

The underlying feeling is that Uefa, which enjoys support from world soccer’s traditionalists, could have their way come December, but it could be a case likened to winning the battle, but not the war.”