Infantino pushes for 48 teams at expanded Qatar 2022 World Cup
Fifa president Gianni Infantino is backing a proposal to fast-track the expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams for Qatar 2022, despite a warning that the plan is already “dead in the water”.
Infantino, who has promised major fresh investment in the world game as part of his drive for re-election next year, said he hopes to find a way to bring the new format forward from 2026.
However, he appears to face an impossible diplomatic job to find a neighbouring nation to share hosting duties. Qatar is at loggerheads with Saudi Arabia as well as Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
Dr Neil Quilliam, a senior research fellow and project director for Future Dynamics of the Gulf at Chatham House, said: “Forget the football, it’s hard to see a breakthrough of any sort. These plans are dead in the water.”
Despite the warning, Infantino, speaking at the opening of the Asian Football Confederation’s new headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, said of a potential fast-track: “If it is possible, why not? We have to see if it is possible, if it is feasible. We are discussing with our Qatari friends, we are discussing with our many other friends in the region and we hope that this can happen. And, if not, we will have tried. We will have tried because we always have to try to do things in a better way.”
In 2026, the United States, Canada and Mexico have agreed to combine forces to host 48 nations, and Fifa has been exploring the idea of fast-tracking the increase for months. After football’s world governing body voted to expand the tournament from 32 teams for 2026, the South American confederation Conmebol asked for it to be brought forward.
However, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates severed political and economic ties with Qatar last year, accusing the country of supporting terrorism.
Infantino also reiterated his plans to expand the Club World Cup, saying he wants to make it a “real competition” that “every club in the world can target”.