Gareth Bale slams Arsene Wenger's plan to hold World Cup every two years

Gareth Bale says a proposed move to stage a World Cup every two years will ruin the prestige and history of the major showpiece.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, now the chief of global football development for FIFA, has launched a feasibility study into whether the wait for a World Cup tournament could be reduced from four to two.

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The plans have been met with a negative reaction with many of world football’s stakeholders coming out against the proposals.

And now the four-time Champions League winner has joined former England striker Darren Bent in opposing them, likening the World Cup anticipation to the Olympics.

Ahead of earning his 99th cap for Wales, Bale said: “It's not something I really like.

"I like the tradition of the World Cup every four years. It has that prestige like the Olympics where it comes around every four years and it feels that little bit more special because it's not happening too often.”

On the topic of the World Cup, Bale still believes that Wales can automatically qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar, despite being in an unlikely position.

That is despite the fact that they will have to win their last five games, including a trip to Prague and a potential shoot-out with Belgium in their final fixture.

Wales are seven points adrift of Belgium, who possess a vastly superior goal difference, but there is the insurance policy of a play-off berth after their recent performance in the Nations League.

The 32-year-old said: “We're just fully focused on trying to win the group.

"If we win every game, we qualify. It's still in our hands, but there's a long way to go and we have to take each game as it comes.

"We can't look two months down the line. We need to focus on the next game, which is Estonia, hopefully, get three points and move on to the next one.

"I know it's a cliche and everyone says it, but we can't look past that because against Belarus everyone was expecting us to win and it turned out to be one of the hardest games."

Bale was part of a squad that ended a 58-year wait to play in a major tournament. They achieved a semi-final place at EURO 2016, before a Round of 16 exit at EURO 2020.

In a career where he has achieved so much, the motivation remains clear for the Real Madrid attacker.

"In terms of international football it’s the pinnacle,” said the Welshman. "I think we have the mindset of trying to qualify for the World Cup.

“It’s something every player dreams of playing in. I’m no different and nobody else in the squad is any different.”