Javier Mascherano has backed FIFA’s plan for a biannual World Cup.
Former Liverpool and Barcelona star Mascherano, 37, has publicly supported world football’s governing body push to stage the tournament every two years for both the men’s and the women’s game.
FIFA believe there is demand to hold a World Cup more frequently because fans want to see the biggest stars in the biggest tournament and it would be a huge boost for international football.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists the majority of national associations are in favour of holding a World Cup every two years and they have already commissioned a feasibility study.
Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, now FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, has been a vocal supporter of the plan and is making a concerted push to help it happen.
Ex-Argentina World Cup star Mascherano has now backed the idea and revealed he has spoken to Wenger and has been convinced by their plans.
Mascherano said: “The first time I heard it seemed strange because we are used to thinking about the World Cup every four years.
“But then I thought more about it, I had the opportunity to talk with Arsène Wenger and other colleagues. Wenger is a true football personality and has been a visionary in many ways for many years.
“He still is and it is amazing to see someone from his experience committed to improving the game for future generations.
“All of these topics are being reviewed in a process of consultations with football and their priority is looked at, not money or political reasons.”
FIFA already hold all the aces with the World Cup on international football and holding it every two years would mean there would be a tournament every year as it would fit in with the European Championships.
Back in May, FIFA announced that they would carry out the aforementioned feasibility study on holding both the men's and women's World Cup competitions every two years.
It came after the Saudi Arabian Football Federation put forward a proposal for a study of the impact of biannual tournaments.
"We believe the future of football is at a critical juncture. The many issues that football has faced have now been further exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic," said the Federation's president, Yasser Al-Misehal.
"It is time to review how the global game is structured and to consider what is best for the future of our sport.
He added: "This should include whether the current four-year cycle remains the optimum basis for how football is managed both from a competition and commercial perspective."
Infantino called it an "eloquent and detailed proposal, with 166 national federations voting in favour of it and 22 voting against.
