South American football body rejects proposed biennial format of World Cup

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - The South American Football Confederation on Wednesday rejected a FIFA proposal to hold the World Cup tournament every two years.

CONMEBOL held an in-person meeting in Paraguay with its 10 members, where football powerhouses Brazil and Argentina made it clear that there are no reasons, benefits or justification for the change.

"The project in question turns its back on almost 100 years of world football tradition, ignoring the history of one of the most important sporting events on the planet," said CONMEBOL.

"CONMEBOL supports the World Cup currently in force, with its terms and classification systems, because it has proven to be a successful model, based on sporting excellence and that rewards effort, talent and planned work," it added.

The FIFA World Cup finals have been held every four years since it started in 1930, except the 1942 and 1946 competitions that were canceled because of World War II.

The next World Cup is scheduled for 2022 in Qatar.

The previous World Cup that was won by France was held in Russia in 2018.

Brazil, a true World Cup frequenter, is the most successful team, winning the title five times in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.