DFB criticises FIFA’s biennial World Cup plans

Frankfurt, September 17 (BNA): The German Football Association (DFB) on Friday criticized the plans of the International Football Association (FIFA) to host the World Cup every two years in the future, and also expressed its dissatisfaction with the procedures.

The German Football Association said in a statement that it stands fully with the Confederation of Football, which has expressed its strong opposition to the idea.

“The German Football Association fully supports UEFA’s position that a decision in this regard cannot be taken without the consent of the European federations and European football,” said a statement issued by the German Football Association after a leadership meeting.

“The federation finds it incomprehensible that the top management of FIFA, contrary to all principles of good governance, chose to make the proposal to the ‘Legends of FIFA’ and disseminate news of the meeting to the media rather than first consulting the members of its board.”

The Saudi Football Association put forward the idea of ​​holding the World Cup every two years, and a feasibility study was given the green light after a vote at the FIFA conference in May.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s head of global football development, last week proposed at an event in Doha – in which former players also took part – that the World Cup should be held every two years instead of four in 2026 and the continental tournaments in the years in between.

That leads to more significant matches for players outside of the major European leagues, he said, and that international breaks will be reduced to one or two.

FIFA said a poll among soccer fans showed that a majority wanted to watch the World Cup matches frequently and that its president, Gianni Infantino, hoped a decision would be made by the end of the year.

UEFA, CONMEBOL in South America, federations of clubs and leagues in Europe, as well as fan groups, oppose FIFA’s plans. The vast majority of top players are in Europe and South America.

The German Football Association warned that “changing the current four-year World Cup cycle to a biennial format and significantly reducing the release periods for national teams would be a major blow to football in Germany and Europe as well as worldwide.”

She said that the annual men’s tournaments will reduce the junior and women’s matches and will put great physical and mental pressure on the players.

NS