A biennial World Cup is a topic of heated discussion in the football world. Everyone, including players and federations, has a very strong opinion on it. However, the idea is slowly turning into a realistic plan.
FIFA chief of global development Arsene Wenger is the mastermind behind the idea. Essentially, FIFA would run a World Cup every two even years, plus confederation tournaments on odd years.
Tied in with this, international breaks would only happen twice a year. Players would get longer rests after international breaks, as they would only occur twice a year.
The plan has been widely rejected by many in football. League federations and UEFA have publicly come out against the proposition. Sponsors also aren’t keen, as Adidas are reportedly not fans of the idea either.
Players such as Gareth Bale, Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski have slammed it. For instance, Lewandowski suggested it could affect players’ health.
Infantino’s shocking comments
But FIFA President Gianni Infantino is undeterred by the critics. He still thinks this is the best move for football and its future. However, how he explained the benefits of the idea has shocked many.
Speaking to an assembly of the Council of Europe, Infantino made an astonishing suggestion:
“Football is about opportunity and hope, and the national teams.
“We need to find ways to give hope to Africans so that they don’t need to cross the Mediterranean to try and find a better life or, more likely, death in the sea.”
He continued: “We need to give opportunities and dignity. Not by charity but by allowing the rest of the world to participate.”
Infantino’s suggestion that a World Cup every two years could prevent migrants from risking their lives at sea was met with bewilderment and fury.
The reaction to his comments
Unsurprisingly, many were shocked and angered by his comments. Football Supporters Europe called Infantino’s remarks “disgusting” and said he was unfit to run FIFA.
Kick it Out’s chief executive Tony Burnett backed up their stance. He blasted Infantino’s comments on migrants dying in the Mediterranean.
In a statement, he said: “It is completely unacceptable to suggest that a biennial World Cup could be a solution for migrants who risk their lives.”
Others took to Twitter to express their outrage, with one user branding Infantino as “disgusting.” Others expressed surprise that he would say something so outrageous and called it a “shocking statement.”
The FIFA President believes his quotes were taken out of context. He suggests people in power have a responsibility to help make the world better, and his comments were not just about a biennial World Cup.
Infantino’s comments have made his World Cup plans even less popular. Football federations and fans will find it hard to support him after such awful comments.