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    Soccer News: The risk is to improve football: Wenger is ready to ‘bet’ with controversial plans for the World Cup

    Arsene Wenger is “ready to take this bet” by attempting to push through the plans for the World Cup to be held every two years.

    Wenger, now FIFA’s head of global football development, is the figure of a move to transform the game’s calendar, with the Frenchman seeking influential support but also encountering serious opposition to the project.

    The legendary Arsenal manager has proposed that the World Cup be held every two years and that there are fewer international breaks during the year.

    While FIFA says most supporters are in favor of holding the tournament more frequently, the plans have been heavily criticized by other governing bodies.

    CONMEBOL, which represents the South American federations, argued that a change “could distort the most important football competition on the planet”.

    European football’s governing body UEFA, meanwhile, fears players will run out – among a number of other negative factors – if the proposals continue.

    However, Wenger does not hold back and believes his suggestion will only improve the sport in the long run.

    “The risk is improving football and I am ready to take the risk,” he told BBC Sport.

    “The international match schedule is set until 2024. Until then nothing can change. I was guided by some ideas to propose a plan to redesign the international calendar.

    “The first is to make football better all over the world. The second is to have a more modern and easier way to organize the calendar.

    “Therefore, I want to reduce the number of qualifiers and reorganize the qualification periods”.

    Wenger, who left Arsenal in 2018 after 22 years at the club, insisted he would support the plans even if he was still a club manager.

    “I would agree with what I propose because I think it is much better for the club,” he said. “There is no interference during the season. I suffered a lot from interference during the season.

    “It’s not about me, it’s about the proposal to make football better, clearer, simpler and more meaningful for the world.

    I am convinced that the clubs gain from it because they can concentrate fully, they have their players available throughout the season and the national teams also benefit from it.

    “There is no increase in the number of games, there is a better rest period, less travel and more quality competition. That’s why I think this project is really defensible.

    “Yesterday I was in a very long meeting with [players union] FIFPRO, we all consult. We are aware that we need to talk to everyone.

    “I think I convinced FIFPRO that players were my first concern in my schedule.”

    Wenger also dismissed the argument that the World Cup will be devalued by being held every two years.

    “The World Cup is such a big event that I don’t think it will diminish the prestige,” he said. “You want to be the best in the world and you want to be the best in the world every year.

    “I’m not on an ego trip. I was asked to help shape the calendar of tomorrow, I consult the whole world ».

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