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FILE – On this Monday, Sept. 9, 2019 file picture, FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks to members of the media on the South Garden of the White Home in Washington. (AP Picture/Andrew Harnik, file)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday defended his plan to carry the World Cup each two years throughout a go to to Venezuela, a rustic that has by no means certified for the worldwide showpiece.
The biennial World Cup mission, which has the backing of former Arsenal supervisor Arsene Wenger, has are available for heavy criticism from continental federations UEFA and CONMEBOL, in addition to coaches and pundits.
“Our job as FIFA is to always take into consideration how we will enhance soccer on the earth, to make soccer really international,” Infantino mentioned throughout an occasion within the Venezuelan capital Caracas.
“The FIFA president is president of the 111 international locations and all these international locations have the precise to dream, a dream just like the Vinotinto (Venezuela’s nationwide crew) dream.
“In addition they have to have the ability to obtain that dream as a result of if it’s a must to dream for eternity, in the long run you like to do different issues.”
Infantino insisted {that a} biennial World Cup would enhance the possibilities for smaller nations to qualify.
“When it was determined to prepare a World Cup each 4 years, roughly 100 years in the past, FIFA had 40 international locations. It’s time to re-analyze the problem.”
Infantino mentioned South American sides had been typically at an obstacle because of the quantity of journey they must do in comparison with European sides.
Europe has hosted the World Cup greater than twice as typically (11 occasions) than every other continent.
South America have welcomed the match 5 occasions. Africa and Asia have solely hosted it as soon as every, though the subsequent one is in Qatar.
“If Messi has to journey 350,000 kilometers to play a World Cup and Cristiano Ronaldo 50,000 to play … I feel it’s regular that in June the South People are a bit extra drained than the Europeans,” mentioned Infantino.
“Since 2002, Brazil haven’t received a single World Cup knock-out match in opposition to a European aspect … Not for 20 years, and that’s Brazil!”
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