ZURICH: FIFA will finally start speaking to football clubs, leagues and players unions this month in the latest steps annou-nced Monday in its push to organize a men’s World Cup every two years.

       All 211 member federations have also been invited to online talks on Sept 30 as part of consulting on the future of national team football, including a biennial men’s World Cup.

       FIFA first sought approval this month from retired players, including World Cup winners who went to Qatar for a two-day conference, and commissioned surveys of fans in selected countries.

       That process was criticised by FIFPRO, the global union for active players, which is now set to get a meeting with FIFA.

       “A new phase of consultation will start with organisations representing players, clubs, leagues and the six continental governing bodies,” FIFA said Monday in a statement.

       “There is a broad consensus within the game that the international match calendar should be reformed and improved. Follo-wing invitations to stakeholders, including all confederations, at the beginning of September, discussions are being organised in the coming weeks.

       “FIFA also invited its member associations to a first online summit on 30 Sept 2021. This is one of several opportunities to establish a constructive and open debate, at a global and regional level, over the coming months.”

       Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2021