Bale says no to biennial WC, says 'I like the tradition of every four years'

Wales captain Gareth Bale has said that he is against FIFA's plan to make the World Cup a biennial event, claiming the competition would lose its prestige if it were to go ahead.

It is understood that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar would likely be his last appearance in the tournament. Regardless, the 32-year-old believes that the status quo is best for the event.

"I like the tradition of every four years," said Bale. "It has that prestige, like the Olympics where it comes around every four years. It feels that little bit more special because it's not happening too often.

"It does make it that bit more prestigious ... I don't really like that every two years because it loses that bit of history."

Manchester City's chief executive Ferran Soriano also opposed the plan, saying that the football calendar was already packed with events.

"There is no space for anything," Soriano said. "No room at all. The players cannot play more games."

European Club Association (ECA) president and Paris Saint-Germain chief executive Nasser al-Khelaifi, along with Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani said that FIFA should discuss the matter with clubs.

"I would like every four years but perhaps there could be a discussion around every three," Radrizzani added.

Football Supporters Europe (FSE) and fans' groups from across the six confederations condemned the proposal in a joint statement.

"Such a move threatens to destroy the already fragile balance between local, domestic, continental, and international competitions and calendars," the statement read.

"The game needs to change. But it needs to change for the better. We do not want or need more World Cups."