FIFA claims survey proves 'majority' of fans want World Cup every two years

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, La Liga president Javier Tebas, and players union FIFPRO are among those who have lashed out at the FIFA proposal to hold World Cup tournaments every two years rather than every four. 

FIFA says paying customers are in favor of the idea. 

According to BBC Sport and Reuters (h/t ESPN), FIFA said in a statement released Thursday that a majority of fans would support shifting the men's World Cup to a biennial event. 

FIFA utilized polling company YouGov and explained that 15,000 respondents "were identified as expressing an interest in football and the FIFA World Cup, from a broader market research survey involving 23,000 people in 23 countries, across the organization's six confederations." 

55% of fans who responded approved of watching a World Cup every one, two or three years, with the two-year option finishing as the favorite of the three. FIFA is also surveying 100,000 people from over 100 countries regarding the subject. 

"There are considerable differences between the so-called traditional markets and the developing football markets; and younger generations in all regions are more open and interested in change than older generations," FIFA added about its findings. 

Previously, Ceferin said European countries could boycott future World Cup tournaments if they're held every two years. The European Leagues group is also opposed to the plan. 

FIFPRO said earlier this week it is "in dialogue with all entities in the game and will meet with FIFA about its reform proposals in the near future."