Soccer – Zurich – Hainer to a different World Cup rhythm: oversaturation threatens – Bavaria
Munich (AP) – Bayern Munich’s President Herbert Hainer has confirmed that the German record champions are rejecting plans to host world championships every two years in the future. “We at Bayern are clearly against it,” said Hainer to the “kicker” (Thursday edition). The fans all over the world are satisfied with the past four-year rhythm, it has proven itself over many decades.
Increasing the rhythm of the World Cup in view of the already full calendar simply doesn’t make sense, the 67-year-old emphasizes and referred to the health of the players and a reasonable burden. “Even more tournaments and competitions, the turn can ultimately lead to oversaturation and thus cause long-term damage to football”, never the Bayern president and warned: “You can sacrifice football on the altar of private interests.” At a men’s World Cup every two years, and hardly any time slots and attention for the continental competitions and the women’s World Cup.
Especially in Europe, but also in South America, the plans of the world association FIFA to change the rhythm of the World Cup are met with rejection. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed hope for a common solution after a meeting of the council on Wednesday. On December 20th there is to be an advisory summit for all 211 member associations, but no vote on the plans. More than a dozen associations are even considering ending their membership in the world governing body as the last option and leaving FIFA.
Arsène Wenger had proposed hosting the World Cup every two years, and the rhythm of continental tournaments such as the European Championship would be shortened. As a result, the changes after the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico with the first 48 nations should finally take effect. In 2027 the tournaments of the confederations would then be hosted. The next World Cup would then be due again in the planned EM year 2028.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 211021-99-676660 / 2