Gareth Southgate has NOT responded to Arsene Wenger’s invite to discuss biennial World Cup plans

England manager Gareth Southgate is yet to accept Arsene Wenger’s invite to discuss FIFA’s blueprint for a biennial World Cup.

Wenger, who is now FIFA’s chief of global football development, will meet national team bosses this week as he looks to generate support for his new-look international calendar, which would include holding a World Cup every two years.

England manager Southgate has already held informal discussions with Wenger about the plan – but the next set of discussions would provide an opportunity for a more detailed understanding of how the changes would work.

England manager Gareth Southgate (R) is yet to accept Arsene Wenger’s invite to discuss FIFA’s plans to shake up the international calendar

Wenger is looking to generate support among national team bosses for his biennial World Cup proposal

Southgate left his initial chat with Wenger quite positive about what the changes would mean for football, but as it stands the England boss will not take up the chance of another discussion with the Frenchman.

Instead, Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham will attend one of the online sessions for national federations’ CEOs, which are also being held between Tuesday and Thursday this week.

Wenger is keen to hold talks in an attempt to quell doubts amid concerns about his plan from some of football’s biggest hitters

Instead, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham (second from R) will attend an online session

Player welfare, the international windows and the women’s game will also be discussed, while FIFA is also talking to broadcasters and other major stakeholders.

Wenger said: ‘As a coach of the men’s national teams, their input is essential.

”Opportunities for us to come together are few and far between, but we must embrace these occasions as such dialogue helps us all to protect the unique place that football has in the world and to make it truly global.’