Playing World Cup every two-years will help Africa – Yaya Toure

Ivory Coast legend, Yaya Toure believes playing FIFA World Cup every two-years will help Africa and has therefore called for a review of the current four-year cycle.

The Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick recently stressed that the review of the four-year cycle would lead to more development and experience for less developed nations.

However, the former Barcelona and Manchester City midfielder has backed him and said organizing the tournament every two years will positively enhance the performance of African countries and players.

“Playing the World Cup every two years will help Africa to develop and it’s crucial for African players to compete more at the highest level to gain valuable experiences. I want to see African countries and players to achieve more at the biggest stage,” the four-time African Footballer of the Year tweeted.

During its annual Congress in May, the world football governing body agreed to have a feasibility study on holding the World Cup every two years after 166 federations voted for it and 22 voted against it.

Amaju Pinnick recently  said, “It’s a fact that competing at the highest level helps the less developed countries to raise their level,” Pinnick was quoted as saying.

“It increases their experience and helps them to learn from mistakes. It is also a key way to bring a country and its key stakeholders behind an objective; including the fans, the sports authorities, and also governments. When people can see that a result is achievable, that it’s realistic, and that everyone can commit seriously to it.

“It makes sense every way we look at it. The World Cup every two years will not lose prestige and global audiences will still stop to see the spectacle. People need to come out of their comfort zone. The world is moving at incredible speed and football needs to adapt. The quality and appetite for a great competition doesn’t come from the fact that it’s rare, “he said.

“The FIFA Confederations Cup was played every four years and it wasn’t really significant. On the other hand, we have the AFCON played every two years and Africa stops to see it with incredible passion. And we can still keep playing it every two years!”