sport news Arsene Wenger's World Cup plans explained: What do people think, and could it ...

sport news Arsene Wenger's World Cup plans explained: What do people think, and could it ...
sport news Arsene Wenger's World Cup plans explained: What do people think, and could it ...

Arsene Wenger's radical proposal to hold the World Cup every two years has raised plenty of eyebrows across the world this week.

The former Arsenal boss is now FIFA's Global Head of Football Development, and he is set to meet a host of famous former professionals this week to discuss his plans.

But what exactly is he proposing, will it work, and what happens next? Here, Sportsmail takes a deep dive into the proposals to find out... 

Arsene Wenger has put forward plans to change the World Cup from every four years to two

Arsene Wenger has put forward plans to change the World Cup from every four years to two

What is Wenger's plan?

Essentially, Wenger's proposal centres around the idea of reducing the amount of international fixtures in the calendar, but having a huge tournament at the end of each season.

He first announced the plans in an interview with L'Equipe last week, and there has been plenty of reaction - both positive and negative - since then... but more on that later.

Explaining his idea, Wenger said: 'The principle would be a grouping of qualifiers every year, and at the end of the season a major competition, World Cup or continental championship.

'Between the two qualifying windows, the player would stay in his club all year round.'

Wenger wants the new World Cup schedule to come into effect in 2028, two years after the 2026 World Cup taking place in North America and Mexico. 

'There must be less of a mix in the calendar between the periods of club football and periods of international football, and therefore fewer transcontinental trips for the players, for example,' he added.

Former Arsenal boss Wenger is currently trying to gather support for his new, radical plans

Former Arsenal boss Wenger is currently trying to gather support for his new, radical plans

What are the pros?

Well, as Wenger mentions above, there would be less travel for the players during the season, with just two international breaks to contend with. For stars who have to travel across continents to play for their country, such as Manchester United and Uruguay's Edinson Cavani, Liverpool and Senegal's Sadio Mane or Burnley and New Zealand's Chris Wood, it could be a huge draw.

The proposals include international breaks in March and October, for countries to play in a four-team, six-match qualifying campaign - something Wenger believes will ensure 'more high-stakes and high-emotion games'. 

Wenger also promises that players will be guaranteed at least 25 rest days every summer, which is something they are sure to be on board with. 

One other positive is that Wenger's plans will give more countries a chance to host a major tournament. Awarding hosting rights can be a highly political decision, with many big countries missing out on the chance to welcome the world.

For example, Africa has only ever held one World Cup - South Africa in 2010 - while Morocco has failed on five separate occasions in its bid to hold the tournament. England hasn't held the World Cup since 1966, while Australia and China are also desperate to bring the tournament to their shores. 

The new plans would enable international players (like the England squad, above) to travel less

The new plans would enable international players (like the England squad, above) to travel less

And the cons? 

There are plenty, many of which will be explained in the next section as we delve into who's said what about the plans.

One group that don't seem to have been consulted very much so far is the fans - and a big trip abroad every year seems like it could be very expensive indeed.

At the moment, international supporters have the World Cup every four years, and then another tournament in the middle of that - be it the European Championship, the Copa America, or something else. (The Africa Cup of Nations is held every two years.)

If you were to make the World Cup every two years, then you have major competitions in at least three of every four years, something that will not be doable financially for a large percentage of supporters.

Also, there are worries that such regular tournaments will dilute the enjoyment for watching fans. Much like the arguments against the European Super League, which would have pitted all the top clubs against each other on a far more regular basis, part of the romance of those big matches is in the infrequency of them.

If England are playing Italy every other year at a major tournament, for example, then will it become less enjoyable to watch?  

Wenger (centre) and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino (bottom centre) are together in Doha this week

Wenger (centre) and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino (bottom centre) are together in Doha this week

What have people

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