Three quarters of footballers are against proposals to make the World Cup a biennial event, according to a survey of more than 1,000 players from seventy different countries.
The poll, carried out by FIFPRO, shows that an even greater majority of European players are against Arsene Wenger's plan to double the number of World Cups because it would place further stress on an already packed calendar.
However, a little more than a fifth of respondents believe they are listened to and their well-being is considered when it comes to international governance.
A total of 77% in Europe and Asia prefer to keep the World Cup every four years, with 63% of those polled in the Americas against changing the calendar.
In Africa, however, the number who prefer a four-year cycle was only 49% and the report recognises that a demand exists in smaller markets to develop national team competitions. FIFPRO says it wants to encourage further investment in regional competitions.
Jonas Baer-Hoffmann, the union's general secretary, said: “The player survey shows most footballers around the world have a clear preference to play the World Cup every four years.
"At the same time, the results demonstrate the importance of domestic league competitions to players. These leagues are the bedrock of our game and we have to do more to strengthen them both for the sake of players and the overall stability of professional football.
“Another key finding from players is that only 21 percent of them believe that their voice is respected and that their well-being is adequately considered in the context of international football governance.
£Therefore, this survey underlines the need for more collective bargaining frameworks in our industry, especially at the international level.”
The biennial plans have been driven by former Arsenal manager Wenger, who is now FIFA's head of global development, and a number of former players, referred to as FIFA Legends, have backed the proposals
But the recommendations have led to such a backlash from UEFA and CONMEBOL members that both continential governing bodies signed a memorandum of understanding in December that will see them work more closely together with a joint office established in London.
They have also scheduled the finalissima , an intercontinental super cup between European champions Italy and Copa America winners Argentina, to be played in London on June 1. That is been seen as a direct response to the biennial World Cup plan.
