[ad_1]
The six-nation team of the European Nordic Football Federation has spoken out against FIFA’s bid to host the World Cup every two years.
Increasing the number of World Cups would “cannibalize” existing competitions, “obsolete” European Championships and rule out women’s championships, they wrote in a statement signed by the federations.
“This (FIFA’s proposal) may make it essentially impossible to follow the model of our current national championships and national team matches,” the statement, released in Copenhagen, Denmark, said after a meeting.
READ: FIFA to expand its portfolio of games and electronic sports
The opposition from the North was not unexpected, as influential officials in the region were working on UEFA’s European governing body, and called for “appropriate consultation” before the decision was made. Swedish Karl-Erik Nilsson is UEFA’s first vice-president and Danish football president Jesper Møller is a member of UEFA’s executive committee.
However, the majority of Nordics fill the market for FIFA’s target teams, who are not normally in the World Cup and can vote for a double chance of qualifying.
Finland and the Faroe Islands have never qualified, Iceland was their first appearance in 2018 and Norway have not played in the World Cup since 1998.
On Tuesday, Denmark became the second European nation to advance to the 2022 Qatar Championship. Sweden is ahead of Spain in its standings.
The Northern team also said that FIFA should not try to make rapid changes in such radical changes.
READ: Polish FA leaders demand FIFA to act after allegations of “false” racism
Outside of Europe, football organizations loyal to FIFA President Gianni Infantino have publicly supported the two-year plan with Asian football federations allied with Africa and Saudi Arabia.
FIFA, which has already extended the World Cup to 48 teams starting in 2026, says that the biennial tournaments will raise money and promote the development of football, help reduce differences in European and South American dominance and allow players and fans to watch more meaningful matches.
“Northern football associations will work with constructive amendments to ensure that football progresses in other regions, but this should not be at the cost of successful developments in Europe,” the six nations said.
FIFA has said it is still consulting with football organizations, but may make a decision in December when its 211 members meet.
[ad_2]
Source link
