Arsene Wenger, FIFA Global Head of Football Development (left), and UEFA President Alexander Seferin. Photo = Getty Images Korea
The International Football Federation (FIFA) and the European Football Federation (UEFA), which had joined hands to block the European Super League (ESL), are fighting over the change of the World Cup schedule.
UEFA opposed FIFA’s plan to hold the World Cup every two years instead of the traditional four-year cycle. At the European Professional Football Association (ECA) general meeting on the 7th (Korea time), UEFA President Alexander Seperin said, “The value of jewelry is maintained because of its rarity.” .
Arsene Wenger, head of FIFA’s global soccer development, said on the 4th, “The goal is to improve the quality of soccer by hosting the World Cup every two years.” According to the British public broadcaster BBC, FIFA is already examining the feasibility of hosting the World Cup every two years at the suggestion of the Saudi Arabia Football Association in May.
“Athletes will spend time every year spending their stamina due to the World Cup every summer,” Ceperin said, pointing out an additional problem. Although FIFA promised to hold the World Cup qualifiers in March and October at the same time and to find a way to guarantee players’ rest, opposition from federations and associations from several continents and countries, including UEFA, is expected.
The clash between FIFA and UEFA is more eye-catching since they joined forces in April of this year. Major European clubs, such as Real Madrid (Spain) and Juventus (Italy), declared the establishment of an independent league ESL under the pretext of ‘save soccer’. At this time, FIFA and UEFA implied strong sanctions, and the ESL collapsed.
In just five months, the two sides are facing each other. Behind it, there is a power struggle to seize the lead in the world football world. FIFA is trying to increase the influence of host tournaments such as the World Cup in order to maintain its status as the best organization in name and reality. On the other hand, UEFA, which had grown in size with the Champions League and Euro competitions at the forefront, launched the Nations League in 2018, weakening FIFA’s influence on European football. Hosting the World Cup every two years could bring another wave of power to the balance of power between the two sides.
Reporter Lee Seung-woo raul1649@donga.com View more articles by reporter
