FIFA to hold online summit to discuss int’l match calendar

FIFA will hold an online summit with its member associations on 30 September to discuss the international men's and women's calendar.

A World Cup every two years rather than four is part of Fifa's plans.

The current match calendar for the women's game runs to the end of 2023, while the men's expires in 2024.

"There is a broad consensus within the game that the international match calendar should be reformed and improved," said Fifa.

"This is one of several opportunities to establish a constructive and open debate, at a global and regional level, over the coming months and Fifa is looking forward to it."

World football's governing body said Arsene Wenger, Fifa's chief of global football development, and former United States women's team manager Jill Ellis were heading technical advisory groups looking at the men's and women's calendars.

European governing body Uefa, South American confederation Conmebol and Europe's major leagues have declared their opposition to plans for a biennial World Cup.

England women's head coach Sarina Wiegman is also against the idea.

"I wouldn't do it. I don't think it's very good for the players and their welfare," she said.

"It's Europe, it's very well organised with good competitions. We have the Euros, then the Olympics, then the World Cup which are major tournaments for us from Europe.

"When you have all these tournaments every year, when are the players going to have some rest? When are they going to recover from a very intense football every year in a row? Players are not robots. I don't think it's a very good idea."

Additionally, the Alliance of European Football Coaches' Associations (Aefca) has written to Uefa to support its stance on the issue.

"The Fifa proposal leads to a considerable increase in the workload for all parties involved, but the already tight timetable does not offer any space for this," wrote Aefca president Walter Gagg and secretary general Jurgen Pforr.