Friday, September 24, 2021

Benefits for clubs and players?
Wenger denies “ego trip” in World Cup plans

Despite harsh criticism from Europe, FIFA wants to fight for the World Cup every two years. Therefore, agent Arsène Wenger is trying to make the plans acceptable to the clubs and the players. In his opinion, they would benefit.

Despite strong criticism, FIFA adviser Arsène Wenger wants to fight for plans for world soccer championships every two years. “If we continue like this, we will hit the wall,” said the director of the BBC’s global association technical advisory group. With plans for a far-reaching game schedule overhaul, “I was not on an ego trip,” the 71-year-old said. He advocated considering the concept in its entirety and not reducing it to just the World Cup question. “A World Cup every two years only makes sense if you look at the whole plan and restructure the qualifying games,” Wenger said.

After 2024, the Frenchman wants to reduce the number of qualifying matches for tournaments and set fewer but longer international match windows. As a result, according to Wenger, clubs would have their players available for longer, professionals would have to travel less frequently. The number of games will not increase, said the former Arsenal manager. “I think the clubs benefit and the players benefit,” Wenger said.

The more frequent celebration of the World Cup will not reduce its value. “The World Cup is such a big event that it will not diminish your reputation. You want to be the best in the world and you want to be the best in the world every year,” Wenger said. He is confident that the proposals will be implemented, “but I do not know the forces that are for or against,” he said.

FIFA’s plans had drawn much criticism, especially in Europe. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin threatened to boycott him and called a meeting with FIFA coach Gianni Infantino. The DFB had also spoken out clearly against the proposals, which also provide for an annual switch between the World Cup and the Euro. This would put enormous pressure on the players, the association warned. The EU Commission also spoke out against a new World Cup pace on Thursday.