Football enthusiasts have expressed desire for a more frequent organization of FIFA’s men’s and women’s World Cups, according to the results of an expanded FIFA survey regarding the frequency of the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cups.
The survey, conducted from August to November 2021, is part of a wider consultation process with all stakeholders in the game. In May, 166 member associations voted for a feasibility study on a biennial FIFA World Cup and, since July, surveys involving more than 100,000 people from 140 countries have taken place.
In the expanded survey published today, Friday, December 17, 2021, approximately 77,000 people were asked if they would watch the FIFA World Cup more frequently, for example, every two years, provided that player workload does not increase.
Protection of players
A reduction in international windows, and the protection of player health and well-being, is of primary importance to FIFA during the ongoing consultation process, with a mandatory rest period being proposed.
When asked if they would like to see the FIFA World Cup held more frequently provided that player workload does not increase, over half of the total respondents said that they would be in favour for both the men’s and the women’s FIFA World Cups.
According to the survey, 30,390 people said football was their favourite sport. Out of this number, 63.7% of fans would like to see a more frequent men’s FIFA World Cup, with 23.3% replying maybe, 11% being opposed, and 2% having no opinion.
With regards to female football, 52.4% of fans would like to see a more frequent FIFA Women’s World Cup, with 28.4% replying maybe, 13.5% opposed, and 5.7% having no opinion.
The age category that is most supportive of holding more frequent men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup is 25-34, and the 55+ bracket is the most opposed.
Variations in confederations
The survey showed variations in support among fans from different continents as represented by the confederations. In Asia, 66% of the respondents were in favour of frequent men’s world cup. For women, 65% were in support of the women’s frequent football tournament.
Majority of respondents in Africa (76%) were in favour of frequent men’s world cup whilst 61% of them favored frequent Women’s world cups.
In the North, Central America and Caribbean, 53% and 50% of the respondents favoured frequent men’s and women’s world cups respectively. For South America, 54% were in favour of frequent men’s world cups as compared with 48% for women’s FIFA world cups.
Also, in Oceania, 55% and 49% of the respondents favoured men’s and women’s frequent world cups respectively. The percentage of those who favoured frequent organization of FIFA’s events was low in Europe as compared to other continents. In all, 48% and 33% of Europeans favoured men’s and women’s FIFA world cups respectively.
Approval for more frequent men’s FIFA World Cups is particularly strong from football fans in Turkey (87%), India (85%) and South Africa (85%). Disapproval rates are particularly strong among football fans in England (53%), Germany (50%) and France (42%).
Approval for more frequent FIFA Women’s World Cup is particularly strong among football fans in India (81.7%), Turkey (79%), and Vietnam (76.5%).
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