CONCACAF asked fifa to stop Wenger-backed World Cup plans

CONCACAF has called on FIFA to stop working on the schedule for holding the World Cup every two years

The World Cups are now held as usual every four years, but Arsene Wenger, the head of global football development, plans to make new

schedule

for the FIFA calendar and hold the World Cup every two years. CONMEBOL has previously said that South American countries oppose such a plan, and now CONCACAF has said that Central and North American countries also have problems with the schedule.

CONCACAF statement reads:

"Meetings between FIFA officials and the Confederation and, separately, CONCACAF Member Associations, will take place in the coming weeks.

"Our initial analysis is that we recognise the merits of creating entirely new international men's, women's, and youth football calendars which are underpinned by fewer international windows, reduced travel for players, friendlies being replaced by meaningful matches, and a more balanced structure for the overall benefit of football development globally.

"We will continue to look at these proposals constructively, with an open mind, and in the spirit of positive engagement.

"CONCACAF welcomes the fact that FIFA's chief of [global] football development, Mr. Arsene Wenger, has been transparent in sharing his vision and we are currently studying how the proposed changes would impact football in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

"While CONCACAF's immediate focus is on its own region, we also believe in the importance of being part of the global football family and we will listen to the views of football stakeholders in all parts of the world. It was in this spirit that CONCACAF was supportive of UEFA and its European football stakeholders when recent threats to their own club competitions structures were explored."

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