A survey by world players’ union Fifpro and national player unions has found that 75% of male players want the World Cup to remain played every four years. Fifa plans to reduce the gap between its competitions to two years as part of the adjusted calendar.
The study involved more than 1,000 athletes from six continents in more than 70 nations. It also found that many players ranked the World Cup and their home league as their favorite tournaments.
According to a study, 77% of players in Europe and Asia have supported the current system, down to 63% in the United States and 49% in African players. The rest is divided between playing the tournament every two or three years.
However, Fifpro acknowledged in a statement that “there is a need, especially in the small and medium markets, for further development and strengthening of national team competitions”.
We have had more than four in five players (81%) rank in their home league or World Cup, in its current four-year round, as their favorite tournament.
The study also found that only 21% of players believe that their voice is respected and that their health is properly monitored when it comes to international football.
Fifpro general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said: “Player research shows that the majority of footballers in the world are keen to play in the World Cup every four years.
“At the same time, the results show the importance of home tournaments for the players. These leagues are the foundation of our game so we have to do a lot to strengthen both because of the players and the stability of professional football.
“This study underscores the need for participatory dialogue structures in our industry, especially at the international level.”
Fifa’s plans to revive the calendar by 2024 have met with strong opposition from other European institutions, with Uefa, the European Club Association and the European Leagues opposed.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has said European countries could boycott World Cup matches twice a year, and last week Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham said his organization did not think it was a good idea for the World Cup to be held twice in men’s or men’s years. of women in the men’s or women’s sport, and he does not think the plans will come true.
However, Fifa president Gianni Infantino said in December he was still hopeful that plans for a revised calendar would be agreed upon.
Source: BBC
