CONMEBOL shoots down biennial World Cup idea

South American football governing body CONMEBOL rejects a FIFA proposal to hold the World Cup every year, saying it “turns its back on almost 100 years of world football tradition.”

Published : Oct 28, 2021 09:36 IST , Asuncion

REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE: Opposition to the idea of conducting the FIFA World Cup every two years has been widespread.
REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE: Opposition to the idea of conducting the FIFA World Cup every two years has been widespread.
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REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE: Opposition to the idea of conducting the FIFA World Cup every two years has been widespread.

South American football governing body CONMEBOL on Wednesday rejected a FIFA proposal to hold the World Cup every two years.

“There are no reasons, benefits or justification for the change driven by FIFA” to hold the World Cup every two years instead of four, CONMEBOL said in a statement after its council met in Luque, Paraguay. “The ten countries that make up CONMEBOL confirm that they will not participate in a World Cup organised every two years,” it added.

ALSO READ - Brazilian Confederation interim chief backs biennial World Cup

FIFA will hold a summit in December with president Gianni Infantino still hoping to find consensus on plans to stage the men’s tournament more frequently. However, opposition has been so widespread from leagues, players and supporters groups that the chances of a biennial World Cup actually happening appear remote.

In its statement, CONMEBOL said the proposal to shorten the gap between World Cups “turns its back on almost 100 years of world football tradition, ignoring the history of one of the most important sporting events on the planet.”

The current system, it added, “has proven to be a successful model” that “rewards effort, talent and planned work.”

The CONMEBOL council also decided on Wednesday that Colombia will be the host of the 2022 Copa America for women.

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