Biennial W’Cup: FIFA To Generate Extra £3.3bn

A biennial World Cup would generate in excess of £3.3billion in additional revenue over a four-year cycle, delegates at FIFA’s global summit have been told.
FIFA has proposed the change as part of a revamped calendar.
All 211 member associations were invited to the summit as the debate over Arsene Wenger’s plan to double the frequency of the World Cup intensifies.
UEFA, Europe’s major leagues and South American football’s governing body Conmebol have opposed the plans.
Delegates were told the overall financial impact on gate receipts, media rights and sponsorship revenues from a World Cup every two years would result in a predicted increase from £5.3billion for the 48-team tournament due to be held across three countries in 2030 to £8.6bn across a four-year cycle with two World Cups.
The meeting was told that FIFA estimate, on average, national associations would each be allocated around £12.1million in additional funds, although the precise method of distribution was not clarified.
Wenger is determined to reduce the gap in funding between the richest and poorest countries and, in turn, increase the chances of players from the poorest nations being developed to the full extent of their talent.
A report commissioned by the World Leagues Forum in November said FIFA’s proposal could cost domestic leagues and UEFA about 8billion euros (£6.8billion) per season in lost TV rights and commercial agreements.
On Friday, UEFA published a report carried out by consultancy firm Oliver & Ohlbau, which said changes to the international calendar would see revenues drop between 2.5 and 3billion euros (£2.1-2.6billion) for European national federations across a four-year cycle.
‘Majority of countries would vote for biennial World Cups’
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino says he remains confident a consensus can be reached over plans for a revised football calendar despite fierce opposition in Europe and South America.