First table for the redefinition of the format of the World Cup: it is likely to be decided at the Doha 2022 World Congress. The IOC: “Reform damages sport”
After much discussion, the first stone was laid for the construction of the new format of the football World Cup, which in the auspices of Fifa should now be held every two years instead of the current four. “We will discuss the project of a new international calendar in a summit convened specifically on December 20, with all 211 national football federations”: Gianni Infantino, at the end of the Fifa Council, announced a meeting dedicated to the hypothesis of a biennial frequency for the world Cup, with the consequent reform of the entire calendar. A much discussed and certainly questionable proposal, which has already received the denial of two of the main confederations of world football: Uefa (Europe) and Conmebol (South America) are opposed to the reform, which would cause a loss of interest (and of consequent commercial value) for the competitions they organize, namely the Europeans and the Copa America. “Everyone’s consent is needed,” added Infantino, specifying that a decision will not necessarily have to come out of the meeting, one way or the other.
More likely that the venue to choose is the World Congress, set in Doha for March 31, 2022. But in the meantime, the plan to reform the frequency of the World Cup, which from 2026 will see the number of finalists increased to 48 (against 32 current) continues shipped. Already on October 15, Infantino, speaking in Caracas during a South American tour, had rejected the criticisms: «When it was decided that the World Cup would take place every four years, about 100 years ago, Fifa had 40 nations. It is time to look into the matter, ”he said, reiterating that a decision will be taken at the end of the year. «The prestige of a competition does not depend on its frequency. Otherwise we would organize a World Cup every 40 years. Prestige depends on the quality of the competition, ”he replied.
The FIFA president also estimated that this reform could allow players to approach the World Cup on an equal footing, reducing travel between continents for South American players by establishing grouped qualifying rounds. “Studies show that traveling, with jet-lag and climate change is negative,” said Infantino, who tried to justify the operation by citing an (indeed unlikely) environmental and health concern, more consistent than the billions that would come in the coffers of Zurich from the sales of television rights doubled, if not in value (this has to be proved) at least in terms of frequency.
Even the IOC, the highest Olympic body, has expressed its opposition to the modification of the status quo: «Increasing the frequency of the World Cup, making it biennial, would create a conflict with other sports of greater international impact, such as tennis, cycling, golf, gymnastics, swimming, athletics, Formula 1 and many others. This reform could therefore damage the diversity and development of non-football disciplines ».
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