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...
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.
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.
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?
What have people said about it?
There have already been a lot of comments on Wenger's plan, and the majority of them have detailed their reservations about the new idea.
England boss Gareth Southgate, perhaps unsurprisingly, was one of the first to be asked, and he admitted that he knows plenty about the proposals having met with Wenger recently.
He said: 'I met Arsene a couple of weeks ago, so I have a pretty good idea of the proposals. There are many different strands so there are bits I thought could work, bits I think need more consideration and bits that probably wouldn't work.
'The whole calendar generally needs to be tidied up. Fewer matches, better quality, but there are lots of other things that need consideration and we can't just add more in at the moment.'
Not an overly decisive view, but it's certainly interesting to hear the thoughts of the England manager. Elsewhere, others have been far more scathing, including Wales star Gareth Bale, who urged football bosses to block the plans.
'It's not something I really like,' said Bale, preparing to win his 99th cap. 'I like the tradition of [the World Cup] every four years. It has that prestige like the Olympics where it comes around every four years and it feels that little bit more special because it's not happening too often.
'If we had one every two years, it would lose that bit of history. Once every four years does make it that bit more prestigious.'
Another not in favour of the plans is Aleksander Ceferin, which is not a massive surprise given his role as the head of UEFA. He, like others, mentioned the possibility of 'diluting' the product.
Speaking at the opening of the European Club Association (ECA) General Assembly on Monday, he said: 'We think that the jewel of the World Cup has value precisely because of its rarity.
'Holding it every two years will lead to less legitimacy and dilute the World Cup itself. We think there is a space for everything and both national teams and clubs are fully occupying that physical and commercial space.'
Ceferin also highlighted his concerns over the impact on players, adding: 'They don't need to see more of their summers spent on consuming tournaments rather than devoted to relaxing and recuperation.'
There has also been a backlash from the fans, with a mammoth 58 fan groups signing up to a statement condemning the idea.
In it, they say: 'Fans' organisations categorically refute this statement. The overwhelming majority of fans oppose a biennial World Cup cycle—and if FIFA had bothered to engage with us on the subject, they would have known this to be the case.'
Perhaps the most strong in their criticism, though, is Raymond Domenech, the former France boss who, it should be said, has had plenty of run-ins with Wenger in the past.
He said: 'The idea doesn't make sense, it's stupid. The fact it's brought forward by Mr Wenger makes no sense. When he was manager he always went against the national teams. I had a number of disputes with him on players he didn't want me to call up.
'So in October and in March we're going to stop playing club football? FIFA is advocating for a football for everyone, which remains a football for the elite. Players who are always called up will never actually get any holidays.
'It's a political aberration. As always, it's FIFA that decides. What's more, Wenger is only citing former players. For those who aren't playing, it's great, for those who are, it's an aberration.'
So, what happens next?
Well, this week is huge for the plans, with FIFA set to reveal more details on Thursday, and Wenger in the process of meeting some big names from the world of football in a bid to convince them of his ideas.
Former England internationals John Terry and Michael Owen are among those to have received an invite to Doha, where Wenger is continuing his FIFA consultation process.
Back at the start of the year, 166 of FIFA's 211 members voted to carry out a study into whether the plans were feasible, and after the talks, there is the possibility that a vote will be held later this year into whether the proposals are given the go-ahead.
Therefore, it's not actually impossible that Wenger's plans come to fruition, but the next few weeks will be vital in gauging public opinion.
Semacisuy
0
So that more countries have a chance to win it within a short space of time 2yrs which is good BUT remember when something becomes more frequent and more and more have it it becomes useless as much as more country's teams and fans will care to win it more teams wont even care if they lose it the thought will be its not a big deal we will try again next year, when the majority including all those teams and countries not known for football prowes not giving examples win the world cup it will affect how pple take the world cup importance of course they must win it everyone has a chance to but i think srsness when it comes to the tournamemt will be reduced myb Uefa champions league will become more interesting if it remains as it is do whatever you want about the world cup
jeuabdlrtu
0
another one of those coups in which fifa wants to extract xtra money from fanz. wat a shame
Mumackmp
0
If we play World Cup tournament every two years, it will affect the EUROS which we play every two years.
Slim2dor
0
thats a valid reason i must agree 😂😂
Thank you 😀
PrimeGeorge
0
Wenger is in his right mind and his proposal is a welcome ideal just with I little editing, first mortality rate is nolonger the same so 2 or 3 years is ok. champions league still has it flavours in spite of the every season thing the song is still magical, England last hosted the world Cup since 1966 how old now? Africa has only gotten one shot in 2010 because of too much politics so bad. break every continental competition from 2 years to 1year Nations Cup, Comebol Euro and others. break the league as well because its getting too much attention and too much money. increase world Cup teams with other stuffs then we are good to go. if Wenger's idea is being rejected and Supper League is also rejected then something is wrong somewhere.
Klose2002
0
screw Wenger with his stupid 2 years WC plan . he wants to destroy the beauty of the game
ツŦŔŐŚŤ么ŐР
0
To notify him of that information.
thats a valid reason i must agree 😂😂
Adepsalm
0
Hope Wenger is not suffering from some kinda illness as a result of staying too long at Arsenal? all he cares is money money and money, economy coach,Arsenal are now suffering for his longivity at the club since he left.
Penbeioz
1
eufa happens every season but still it has not lost its value. now other competitions wants to do it and its now nonsense
Pokabnpsuz
0
that man like mourinho said is stupid and a failure we don't need the world cup to be played every two years only a mad person would consider this I promise you this if this one goes through even the super league will eventually
hodcilpru
1
that man doesn't know what he is talking about...
Slim2dor
0
the why you reply 😂😂
To notify him of that information.
ツŦŔŐŚŤ么ŐР
0
Nobody cares.
the why you reply 😂😂
Sihdeinptz
0
every 2 years then when are they going to play qualifiers ? as it is club vs country is a contentious issue. Players would suffer burnout mush earlier in their careers. every 4 years is good enough . Maybe he has been promised a place on FIFAs board
azmotsamar
3
This old man had gone mad! he enjoyed world cup in every four years. he knew that he will die soon and he has no time left to watch world cup. so he wants world cup in every two years. it's world cup not Copa America. waiting four years for world cup is more enjoyable than waiting two years for world cup
SonicSynchro
3
As long As Alexander Ceferin on board, Arsene Wenger's proposal to hold world cup every two years is just a suggestion though ! (unless Mr Infantino Agrees with it)
Slim2dor
0
let it continue for 4 years that's the joy of world cup
Wenger is not in his right mind anymore mate.
Slim2dor
0
I don't have all the time to read Mr Wenger's sermon but I wish he could read this from me as well. Should his proposed staging of the World Cup (the world's biggest football jamboree) go on every two as he proposes, what happens to AFCON staged every two years? UEFA European Championship?, CONMEBOL Copa America?, AFC Asian Championship?,CONCACAF etc? What about the ambiance of the qualification games in-between different national championships ( leagues)? Don't he think that the players can suffer burnouts and multiple injuries cuz of limited rest and little or no holidays? What happens to those with families especially young families? Massa he should get out with that his proposal. IT WILL MAKE THE WORLD CUP LOSE ITS PLACE, AND KILL OTHER CONTINENTAL JAMBOREES. My proposal? Maintain the world cup every four, increase the number of teams to 64 and stage it in different countries of the various continents.
Wenger is delusional mate.
Slim2dor
1
I am a Nigerian a Chelsea fan 2 years wow great and wonderful
Nobody cares.
Slim2dor
1
Wenger is crazy.. give the players some rest.
kumaeouz
1
Three years rather greater [100percent]
viyabilprs
1
I am a Nigerian a Chelsea fan 2 years wow great and wonderful
caweikorsu
2
I don't have all the time to read Mr Wenger's sermon but I wish he could read this from me as well. Should his proposed staging of the World Cup (the world's biggest football jamboree) go on every two as he proposes, what happens to AFCON staged every two years? UEFA European Championship?, CONMEBOL Copa America?, AFC Asian Championship?,CONCACAF etc? What about the ambiance of the qualification games in-between different national championships ( leagues)? Don't he think that the players can suffer burnouts and multiple injuries cuz of limited rest and little or no holidays? What happens to those with families especially young families? Massa he should get out with that his proposal. IT WILL MAKE THE WORLD CUP LOSE ITS PLACE, AND KILL OTHER CONTINENTAL JAMBOREES. My proposal? Maintain the world cup every four, increase the number of teams to 64 and stage it in different countries of the various continents.
Habcilprsy
1
Why not make the World Cup every 3 years, also the continental cup of nations as a championship and as a qualification for the World Cup. 5 from Asia, 5 from Africa, 5 from South America, 2 from North America and 13 from Europe
sudakry
3
Every 2 years ain’t it sorry the World Cup won’t be special llet it be every 4 years it’s magical the more we wait❤️
koaaklmstz
0
Gareth Bale loves golf after all!
Nurhasnat
3
let it continue for 4 years that's the joy of world cup