Jamie Carragher has revealed he rejected a request from FIFA to publicly support the idea of holding the World Cup every two years, following a private meeting with Arsene Wenger and other former players. The Sky Sports pundit described the proposal as 'rubbish' during an appearance on the Football Ramble podcast.
Secret Meeting and Immediate Rejection
Carragher said he attended a Zoom call organized by Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, which included former players such as Javier Mascherano. The discussion focused on the benefits of a biennial World Cup. After the call, the organizer texted Carragher asking him to publicly endorse the plan, but he immediately declined.
'I had a little chat with Arsene Wenger. He was getting involved with FIFA and it was all around this World Cup being every two years. He said, 'I'd like you to come on this other call with other ex players and we're going to chat about the ideas going forward'. I'm like, 'Brilliant, amazing',' Carragher said.
Carragher's Opposition
Carragher expressed his strong opposition, stating, 'Just because I came on the Zoom... I don't agree with and I don't want it. I think it's rubbish. This feeling of 'Once you're in here with us and you're on this Zoom, we're all these ex players and we're in.'
He added, 'That was my insight into it with Wenger and Infantino above him, with getting all these ex players in and like, 'This makes us look okay'. Half of these ex players, they don't care. From that, I was like, 'I'm not having this at all'.'
Current World Cup Context
The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, saw Spain win their first title in 16 years, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final. The next tournament is scheduled for 2030, co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with matches also in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to mark the centenary.
FIFA has already expanded the World Cup to 48 teams for 2026, and there are reports of a potential increase to 64 teams by 2030. UEFA and CONCACAF oppose the biennial proposal, while CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez supports it.
