Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has revealed that he rejected FIFA’s proposal to hold the World Cup every two years, despite being personally invited by Arsene Wenger to discuss the idea.

The proposal first emerged in 2021 when Wenger, serving as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, presented research supporting a biennial World Cup instead of the traditional four-year cycle.

The suggestion quickly sparked widespread criticism from football federations and stakeholders across the game. Although the plan has never been introduced, it became one of the earliest controversial initiatives during Gianni Infantino’s presidency. It was later followed by other debated proposals, including increasing the tournament from 48 to 64 teams and an unsuccessful attempt to bring private investment into the competition.

Speaking on the Football Ramble podcast, Carragher recalled how Wenger approached him to take part in discussions with a group of retired players from around the world.

“I had a conversation with Arsene Wenger, and it was all about the World Cup being held every two years,” Carragher said.

“He invited me to join another call with former players to discuss ideas for the future of the game. I thought it sounded great and agreed to take part.”

According to Carragher, the meeting featured several former internationals from different countries, with the main focus being the advantages of staging the World Cup every two years.

“I listened to what everyone had to say and asked a few questions,” he added. “But I never liked the idea.”

Carragher explained that after the virtual meeting ended, he was asked to publicly endorse the proposal. However, the former defender made it clear that he had no intention of supporting a plan he did not believe in.

Reflecting on the experience, Carragher said the organisers contacted him after the Zoom call and asked if he would publicly back the campaign promoting a World Cup every two years.

“We finished the Zoom meeting,” Carragher recalled. “I hadn’t said that I supported it or opposed it. I’d simply joined the discussion and listened to what everyone had to say.”

He added that he was then invited to publicly show his support for the proposal, but immediately declined.

“The person organising it sent me a message asking if I could come out in support of it. I said, ‘No. Just because I joined the meeting doesn’t mean I agree with the idea. I don’t support it at all—I think it’s a bad proposal.'”

Carragher admitted the experience left him with the impression that FIFA wanted respected former players to help legitimise the controversial plan.

“It almost felt like the aim was to gather well-known ex-players together so it appeared everyone was on board,” he said. “That was my takeaway from the whole process involving Wenger and, above him, Gianni Infantino. They wanted familiar faces behind the project, but I wasn’t prepared to be part of it.”

The former England international insisted he never considered changing his stance, saying he had no interest in backing an idea he fundamentally disagreed with.