World Cup: FIFA will consider men's and women's events every two years

 FIFA, the world's governing body for football, will launch a feasibility study to host the men's and women's World Cups every two years instead of four.

The proposal by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAF) has been endorsed at FIFA's annual congress.

The study will also look at selection competitions for these tournaments.

"We believe the future of football is at a critical juncture," said SAF President Yasser Al-Michel.

"All the problems that football has faced have now been exacerbated by the ongoing epidemic.

"It is important to review how the global game is structured, including whether the current four-year cycle has the best foundation for how football will be conducted, both in terms of competition and the commercial perspective, and overall football development."

"Concerns about player welfare for playing more or less meaningful competitive national team matches can simultaneously increase the quality and eligibility of such competitions."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino called it a "clear and detailed proposal", with 166 national federations voting in favor of 22.

The Men's World Cup has been held every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1930, with the exception of 1942 and 1966 due to World War II.

The women's tournament has been held every four years since its inception in 1991.

The move to the biennial schedule will have an impact on other international tournaments, such as the European Championships, which are also held every four years in the intervening years of the World Cup.