A desperate FIFA? Biennial World Cup could prevent refugee crisis, says FIFA

There has been talk for several months that a football World Cup could be held every two years. FIFA is still trying to find arguments why this should happen. It has now mentioned the potential impact on the refugee crisis as one of the reasons.

FIFA is still trying to find reasons why it is appropriate to hold the World Cup more often. In December, it came up with the results of a survey that said every member state could benefit financially from the change.

The survey said that more frequent World Cups could not only lift global GDP but also create around two million brand new jobs. And it is this theme that FIFA President Gianni Infantino has now taken up in his speech to European legislators.

According to Infantino, football is now dominated by a handful of people who have everything. This needs to change, football needs to be more global and more inclusive.

“We need to find ways to involve the whole world. We need to give hope to Africans so that they don’t have to cross the Mediterranean hoping to find a better life, when they are more likely to die on the way,” Infantino said in his speech.

Sadly, on the day Infantino made his speech, at least 18 people died on boats heading from North Africa to the Canary Islands.

Along with Infantino, legendary coach Arsene Wenger is trying to persuade Europe to change, but even that is not helping.

Infantino believes Europe does not need another big event, he says it already has many options. European values, he says, need to be transferred to the rest of the world.

However, in addition to the European body UEFA, the South American CONMEBOL also protests against hosting the World Cup every two years.

Source: ESPN, FIFA