The World Cup, or FIFA World Cup, is an annual contest between the national teams of men that determines the world champion. It is undoubtedly the most watched sporting event in the world, with billions of fans tuning in to watch every game on television.
The ability of the World Cup to inspire hope across entire nations has been proven to halt civil war but why is the World Cup held every four years?
The answer actually has to do with the history of the game. Football was first played as an Olympic sport in 1908, and has been held as part of the Olympic Games ever since. However, in 1994, FIFA (the governing body of international football) decided to hold their own World Cup tournament, which would take place every four years.
The World Cup is only staged once every four years due, first and foremost, to the enormous number of qualifying matches. For 31 slots in 2014, 204 nationals applied. There are 32 available spots, but the host country is guaranteed one and frequently takes part in the first game.
When the World Cup first began in 1930, it would have been quite challenging for each team to fly around the globe every year for the competition. The fact that only 13 nations took part in the inaugural World Cup in 1930 serves as proof of this.
Effect of World War
Football games used to be played every two years back then. But after the First and Second World Wars, everything was different. In order to give nations more time to prepare, it was thought that holding the World Cup every four years would be more realistic. And that’s why football is played every four years: to let all nations to compete.
Promotion and Sales
Football tournaments are organized every four years, in part so that the organizers have more time to advertise and sell the commercial rights.
Consider this: if the World Cup were hosted annually, there would be less time for business negotiations and revenue generation. However, by spreading it out, businesses may focus on various markets and increase their revenue.
Additionally, it gives supporters something to anticipate every four years, which is fantastic for sponsors and advertisers. They are aware that the World Cup will be discussed for months prior to it.
More Nations May be Eligible.
More nations would be eligible to compete if football were conducted annually. But as things stand, just a few people are allowed to participate each time.
It is crucial that the tournament be staged every four years because of this. The World Cup is essentially about giving other nations a chance to shine, after all. Football is honored, as well as the many diverse cultures who join together to play the game.
Permits Marginalized Teams to Compete
The World Cup gives under-the-radar teams the chance to compete on a global scale. Consider Haiti as an example. Despite never having done so, they advanced all the way to the World Cup qualification stage this year. Despite not making it to the World Cup, they still did their nation well. The World Cup’s main goal is to provide everyone the opportunity to compete and demonstrate their abilities.
Having More Downtime in Between Events to Rest and Recover
We cannot deny the magnitude of the World Cup. Undoubtedly, there’s a solid reason why it’s one of the most watched sporting events in the world. The display of talent, athleticism, and tenacity is breath-taking. The players, though, are also under a lot of strain. They are always on the move, playing in several time zones, and putting their bodies through excruciating physical strain. The World Cup will henceforth be held every four years as opposed to every two, as approved by FIFA.
The players have more time to rest and heal in between competitions, which helps them perform better when it’s time to participate. Thus, everyone who participates will benefit from a better tournament.
More Beneficial for Player Development
Why is football only played every four years may be a mystery to you. Actually, FIFA made a shrewd decision with this.
As you can see football is a game that is all about growth. Players require time to develop as athletes, try out new tactics, and learn new concepts. The World Cup is held every four years, giving participants the time to develop their abilities to the fullest. It also keeps the fans interested and returning for more. The biggest football competition in the world is broadcast to the entire planet every four years. And that’s a fairly unique thing.
Infrastructure and Requirements
If a nation lacks the necessary infrastructure, organising and building an event for 5,000,000 or more attendees could be a nightmare. Brazil reportedly paid $4 billion to refurbish and restore the 12 stadiums used to host the matches, according to Billboard. To handle the enormous influx of people, much more than stadium planning is required. In terms of logistics, arranging a World Cup might easily take more than 4 years to ensure everything goes according to plan.
