‘Majority’ back 48-team Qatar World Cup – Infantino

A “majority” of football federations support increasing the number of teams playing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from 32 to 48, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in Doha on Thursday ( Friday in Manila).

Speaking at a press conference after a three- day FIFA summit in the Qatari capital, Infantino said the idea had widespread backing from associations across the globe.

“We will see,” he said. “So far, of course the majority is in favour because 16 more teams to participate, not only means 16 more countries with World Cup fever but also 50 or 60 more countries being able to dream.

“Is it feasible or not, that’s the question?”

FIFA has said it will make its final decision in March, at its next council meeting, after the completion of a feasibility study.

It has backed a 48- team tournament to become the norm from 2026, when the World Cup will take place in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

And he said that Qatar would consider the idea of a 48-team World Cup in four years’ time.

“There is an openness on the part of Qatar and that is something that I really appreciate,” said Infantino.

About any final decision, he added: “Of course, the first partner with whom we are speaking about is the Qataris, the Qatar federation, the Qatari authorities.”

Any decision to extend the tournament would be faced by logistical and political problems.

The 2022 World Cup, the first in the Middle East, will take place over 28 days not the usual 32, as in Russia earlier this year.