WHO’S READY FOR 48 TEAMS IN 2022?

Qatari organizers of the 2022 World Cup say they’re open to talks about a 48-team tournament, and can see a format to host it alone.

Fifa (International Football Association) president Gianni Infantino’s wish to add 16 extra teams in 2022 was seen as pushing Qatar toward letting neighboring states into a co-hosting plan.

In Moscow last month, pressure on Qatar was eased when the Fifa Council agreed the host nation’s consent was a “precondition” for change.

A senior Qatari official on Saturday said a 48-team tournament could be staged using just the eight stadiums in and around Doha.

“Yes, it’s doable, we just need to figure out how,” Nasser Al Khater, the assistant secretary general of Tournament Affairs, said.