Critics round on ‘political’ World Cup expansion

ZURICH: Critics of FIFA’s decision Tuesday to expand the World Cup to 48 teams were quick to blast it as a politically and money- driven ploy that will be detrimental to football’s showpiece tournament.

But there was support – particularly in Asia and Africa – for FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s expansion plan, unanimously approved by FIFA’s ruling council and to be implemented at the 2026 World Cup. than sporting ones and under considerable political pressure, something ECA believes is regrettable,” the body, which represents many of European football’s biggest clubs, said in a statement.

New FIFA Now, a campaign group that says the scandalplagued governing body needs to reform, labelled the expansion “a money grab and power grab”.

“It will dilute the c ompe t i t i v ene s s o f t he tournament and, therefore, the enjoyment of fans,” it said in a statement.

A confidential FIFA report seen by AFP projects a 48-team tournament would bring a cash boost of US$ 640 million ( 605 million euros) above projected revenues for next year’s finals in Russia. - Praise in Asia, Africa - Infantino said Tuesday’s move would allow more countries to “dream” of qualifying for the World Cup – Africa and Asia could be the big winners with a rise in their number of places.

Japan c o a c h Va h i d Halilhodzic told Kyodo: “A 48team proposal, especially one where the group stage trims the field to 32 teams, is clearer and fairer.”

Phi l l ip Chiyangwa, the Zimbabwe Football Association president , told AFP: “It is good because it i s about accommodating more teams from Africa. That is positive.”

The S c ot t i sh Footba l l Associat ion a lso warmly welcomed the decision, chief executive Stewart Regan saying it would allow the domestic game to develop with the extra finances that qualifying for the quadrennial football showpiece would bring.

“We believe this is a positive step, part icularly for the smaller nations, and will allow more fans across the globe to revel in their country’s participation at a FIFA World Cup Finals,” Regan said.

“This will also allow these nations to invest further in their footballing infrastructure and youth development, which in turn can yield significant social benefits.”

Re g a n adde d t hat t he achievements of the smaller nations at an expanded Euro 2016 – Iceland eliminated England and Wales got to the semi-finals – had shown how minnows internationally could enhance a major finals.

“A greater eclectic mix of footballing cultures at the FIFA World Cup will create a bigger and better atmosphere than ever before.” — AFP