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'Shame': FIFA's shock World Cup plans spark $4.7 billion mayhem

France celebrate wining the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Plans to move the FIFA World Cup to every two years has sparked concerns for UEFA and fans. (Getty Images)

UEFA has detailed its substantial losses to FIFA if the controversial plans to hold the World Cup every two years goes ahead.

On Wednesday, plans appeared to gather steam as proposals led by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, now FIFA's chief of global football development, look set to re-shape the international football calendar.

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FIFA's plans include a men's tournament every June, mandatory 25-day rest periods for players after their involvement in tournaments, and cutting the number of qualifying matches and the number of international breaks during a season.

Closing the gap between World Cups from four years to two, however, has been met with widespread opposition, including from the International Olympic Committee.

As a result, Le Monde said the study conducted by London-based Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates was commissioned in September and the findings were revealed to their 55 national associations on Tuesday.

And the findings showed UEFA would lose billions over a number of years due to the restructuring of the football calendar.

French media outlet Le Monde says an independent report commissioned by UEFA claimed the European football body would lose 3 billion euro ($A4.7 billion) over four years if FIFA's proposed new calendar was introduced.

Football world reacts to World Cup change

The move, in particular to hold the World Cup every two years, has received widespread backlash in the football community.

UEFA's study showed this was where the risk to revenues would impact most, with 2.5bn euro ($A3.9 billion) losses incurred if there were two international windows in October and March and 3 billion euro if a single window was adopted over a four-year cycle.

The deficit would be mainly related to income from match tickets, broadcasting revenue and sponsorship, with some deals already contracted under the current structure.

The independent study also examined the impact of both mental fatigue for players and a lack of competition for some of nations, who if they fail to qualify for the final stages could be without an international fixture for as long as six months.

It also suggested women's football would lose standing, as the showpiece events would conflict against men's tournaments as well as the Olympic Games, while the study concluded there would be a "domino effect" on domestic competitions across UEFA.

with AAP

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