FIFA DITCH THEIR PLAN FOR 48-TEAM QATAR WORLD CUP

FIFA have scrapped plans to expand the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams. The world governing body admitted last night that adding 16 countries to the format had proved impractical. With the event just three years away, Qatari organisers did not feel there was enough time to carry out studies on the logistical impact of a bigger competition. The desert state has been preparing for a 32-team tournament with eight stadia since 2010. Feasibility studies involving neighbouring countries were carried out but no solutions were found. ‘The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will therefore remain as originally planned with 32 teams,’ a statement read. The 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico will be the first World Cup for 48 finalists. The statement added: ‘FIFA and Qatar have explored all possibilities to increase the number of participant teams by involving neighbouring countries. ‘Following a thorough consultation process... it was concluded that such a proposal could not be made now.’ FIFA president Gianni Infantino is a strong advocate of expansion. ‘We have to shape the World Cup of the 21st century,’ he said. ‘Football is more than just Europe and South America, football is global.’