Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has rejected the idea of holding the World Cup every two years, saying it would “dilute” the tournament.
Fifa is holding a feasibility study into a biennial men’s and women’s World Cup following a proposal from the Saudi Arabian football federation in May.
The consultation process is being led by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
“The jewel of the World Cup had value precisely because of its rarity,” said Ceferin.
Speaking in person in front of 160 club representatives at the General Assembly of the European Clubs’ Association in Geneva, he added: “Holding it every two years will lead to more randomisation, less legitimacy and unfortunately, dilute the World Cup itself.”
The men’s World Cup has been held every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 because of World War Two.