Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has revealed details of a private meeting with FIFA officials and former players to discuss proposals to stage the World Cup every two years
Jamie Carragher speaking on the Football Ramble podcast
Jamie Carragher has revealed he was asked to publicly support one of FIFA's controversial plans
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Jamie Carragher declined FIFA's request to publicly endorse the idea of staging the World Cup every two years instead of the customary four, following a confidential meeting. The Liverpool icon revealed he had met with former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, now FIFA’s chief of global football development along with several ex‑players to discuss the proposed restructure.
This summer's tournament was held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with European champions Spain lifting the trophy for the first time in 16 years. Luis de la Fuente's side beat Argentina 1-0 in the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium, with Ferran Torres scoring the winner.
The next World Cup is scheduled for 2030, with Morocco, Portugal and holders Spain set to jointly host the event. However, Carragher has revealed that conversations have already taken place about moving the competition to a more frequent cycle.
Speaking on the [Football Ramble podcast](https://x.com/FootballRamble/status/2084685159282983004?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2026 ), Carragher revealed he had participated in discussions regarding the proposal but chose not to pursue it further. He acknowledged he was astonished when the organiser subsequently messaged him requesting he publicly support the scheme - a request he turned down straight away.
Carragher said: "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'.
"We get on this Zoom and it wasn't just English players. It was like [Javier] Mascherano, there were foreign players from all over the world. They're basically talking about the pros of a World Cup every two years. I'm just listening, asking questions. I don't like the idea.
"We finish this Zoom. I haven't said whether I don't like it or it shouldn't happen, I'm just chatting with these ex players. And the guy who was organising the Zoom, then text me and said, 'Okay, can you put this out?' - like supporting it. I was like, 'No, no, no'."
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"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.
"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'."
The proposals have yet to gain significant traction, though alterations to the tournament were implemented for the first time this summer, with the 2026 edition already expanding to 48 teams and incorporating an additional knockout round.
Further reports indicate that FIFA are weighing up the possibility of going even further, with a potential expansion to 64 teams by the time the 2030 showpiece arrives — marking the 100th anniversary of the World Cup.
Both UEFA and CONCACAF are opposed to the notion, yet CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez remains a staunch advocate. The 2030 World Cup will also stage matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay in honour of the centenary.