FIFA president, Gianni Infantino has refuted claims that his organisation was set to announce a biennial world cup, despite constant rumours.
The plan to host a world cup every two year was overwhelmingly rejected by fans, country officials and importantly the players association (Fifpro).
A recent survey revealed that over 75% of the players were against the plan, as many felt it took away from the spectacle of Football’s biggest event.
Infantino’s claims come after he revealed that a biennial world-cup would bring in an additional $USD4.4 billion of revenue for FIFA and its partners.
The proposal was fronted by legendary football coach, Arsene Wenger, who now serves as FIFA’s head of football development, however the proposal was met with widespread backlash by all invested in the game.
At FIFA’s annual congress in Dubai, Infantino noted that he is in open dialogue with the players and confederations to continue to expand the global form of the game, with a global nations league being floated as an alternative.
““Let’s get the process clear. The last FIFA Congress asked the FIFA administration for a vote, and 88 per cent voted in favour, to study the feasibility of that and some other projects,” Infantino said.
“The FIFA administration, under the leadership of Arsene Wenger, did that. We studied the feasibility.”
“But FIFA did not propose anything. FIFA came to the conclusion that it was feasible, but would it have some repercussions and impacts.
“The next phase was consultation and discussion and trying to find agreements and compromises, to find what was most suitable for everyone.”
Infantino returned to the subject of the international match calendar at the press conference which followed the congress.
“We’re not in a hurry. The calendar is there till 2024. If we find an agreement in one week that is great, and if we find it in one year, it’s great as well.
“What we want to do is to have an impact on global football and an impact on making football global, and we take the time, with the utmost of understanding for all the positions and respect for everyone.
“Whether it’s a World Cup every two years, the World Cup every three years, a different type of competition – we had the Confederations Cup in the past. We have to think about what is best for the development of football.”