A radical plan to restructure international football to the benefit of powerful European clubs envisages the FIFA World Cup being held every two years, the Financial Times reported on Monday. The proposal, called Grand Slam World, is part of a presentation commissioned by the G-14 group, an alliance of 18 of the richest sides in Europe, by Hypercube, a Dutch consultancy.
Making the World Cup a biennial event is the most radical of four options outlined in a 36-page presentation, the newspaper said. Another option called Grand Slam Euro would see continental tournaments, such as the European championship, also held every two years, while a possible World Cup for clubs would be contested every four years. A third option, under which weaker countries would have to pre-qualify for continental championships, would permit expansion of the lucrative annual European Champions League.
Making the World Cup a biennial event is the most radical of four options outlined in a 36-page presentation, the newspaper said. Another option called Grand Slam Euro would see continental tournaments, such as the European championship, also held every two years, while a possible World Cup for clubs would be contested every four years. A third option, under which weaker countries would have to pre-qualify for continental championships, would permit expansion of the lucrative annual European Champions League.