Wenger dismisses greed claims over biennial World Cups and admits Kane snubbed talks

Wenger was named FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development in 2019, and has spent much of his time with the organisation plotting radical changes to the game.

The legendary Arsenal manager has this year publicly discussed plans to hold World Cups every two years, which has been derided by much of the football community.

Many European football leagues, along with UEFA, have condemned the proposals, but the AFC and CONCACAF have remained open to the idea.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand's YouTube channel, Wenger was pressed again on the plans alongside former US Women's coach Jill Ellis as they discussed 'The Future of Football'.

Wenger reiterated how much support there has been for changes to the structure of international football.

"We consulted and out of 100 football people 99 per cent want changes," Wenger revealed.

"Because there are too many frictions between club football and national team football and now we have interruptions.

"At every interruption we have problems for the national team coaches and for the club coaches; they don't want to release the players and the national team has not enough players to play like they want, and not enough time to practice.

"In the future, a better separation between national team football and club football would benefit the game, as well reducing the number of qualifiers and play more tournaments at the end of the season."

Whether that 99 percent back the biennial World Cups on top of changes to the game seems unlikely, with many suggesting the move is just a power grab by FIFA.

The increased number of tournaments would infringe on other continental tournaments such as the European Championship, and Ferdinand put it to Wenger that the concept was based on greed.

Wenger claimed his motivation wasn't financial, saying: "I've been guided just by how we can make football better in the world.

"In Europe it's all well, but the guy who's in Africa on Saturday has only one choice which is to watch the Premier League.

"In his country nothing happens, because there is no league, no competitive league, they have the right as well to develop the game as well to give every talent a chance in the world, that is our target."

With much of Europe against Wenger's pitch, Ferdinand questioned if the Frenchman has found it easy to talk to people inside of the game, with one surprise source turning him down.

"We try. We face some opposition sometimes," Wenger said. "Especially some countries, even in England.

"I tried to speak with [England captain] Harry Kane and he was busy with the national team, but we speak to many people."

Wenger stepped away from football management in 2018 following the end of an incredible 22-year tenure at Arsenal, which saw three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups, and a new world-class stadium in North London.

The 72-year-old had time to speak about matters outside of the FIFA proposals, and gave some interesting thoughts on academy players.

"From this [Ferdinand's] generation there were men who came to the game and made their career through their mental strengths," Wenger explained.

"Because they were playing first at Stoke, they had to fight like mad every week to show that they have the quality.

"We have gone today too early detecting [players] at 12, 13 years, already the big clubs select the players and over protect them.

"Maybe we have to encourage these clubs again to forge the character of the players in a society that has become a bit too protective, and find a better balance.

"Develop the initiative, forge the character of the players. Accountability, reliability, is maybe the challenge of modern education."