MLS commissioner Don Garber: 'No practicality' to biennial World Cup

The idea of holding a World Cup every two years pushed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and FIFA chief of global football development Arsene Wenger has been heavily criticized by entities such as UEFA, players union FIFPRO, and the European Leagues group, among others. 

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber added his name to the list while speaking with reporters Tuesday ahead of this weekend's MLS Cup Final between the Portland Timbers and New York City FC. 

"There's no practicality to it, and in my personal view, I think it dilutes what I think is the best sports event in the world," Garber said of the proposal, per Jeff Carlisle of ESPN. "I sit on the World League Forum Executive Committee. We just had an announcement that was made last week.

"The World League Forum is not in support of a biennial World Cup. The impact that has on our players, on our clubs, and our leagues is something that we think would not be worth what it would take in order to, in some people's view, grow the popularity of the sport, whether it's here or any other place around the world."

Critics note hosting a World Cup every two years could negatively impact domestic competitions by over-saturating markets with international football and also by stripping players of offseason time used to mentally and physically recover from grueling campaigns. In a statement released in September, FIFPRO general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said: 

"Players have natural physiological limits and an inherent interest in the sustainable advancement of the game: the success of the sport depends on their physical and mental well-being. What we decide at the peak of the game impacts thousands of professionals around the world. Any plans to expand competitions must integrate their collective experience and views."

In a press release issued last week, the World Leagues Forum claimed a biennial World Cup could cost domestic leagues "up to €8.5 billion per season."