Fifa scraps plan to increase 2022 World Cup to 48 teams
● World governing body says 32 finalists will compete at Qatar tournament after expansion proposals proved impractical
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be a 32-team tournament as originally planned, Fifa has announced.
The world governing body had considered expanding the event to 48 teams– as is planned for the tournament from 2026 – but this has proved impractical.
With the event only three years away, Qatari organisers did not feel there was enough time to carry out studies on the logistical impact of an expanded competition. The desert state has been preparing for a 32-team tournament, with eight stadia, since 2010. Feasibility studies involving neighbouring countries were also carried out but no solutions were found.
“The Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 will therefore remain as originally planned with 32 teams,” a Fifa statement read.
The 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be the first World Cup for 48 finalists. The statement added: “Fifa and Qatar have jointly explored all possibilities to increase the number of participant teams from 32 to 48 teams by involving neighbouring countries. Following a thorough and comprehensive consultation process ... it was concluded that under the current circumstances such a proposal could not be made now.
“Additionally, Fifa and Qatar have once again explored the feasibility of Qatar hosting a 48- team tournament by in particular lowering certain key Fifa requirements. A joint analysis, in this respect, concluded that due to the advanced stage of pre parations and the need for a detailed assessment of the potential logistical impact on the host country, more time would be required and a decision could not be taken before the deadline of June. It was therefore decided not to further pursue this option.”
Qatari World Cup organisers added: “Qatar had always been open to the idea of an expanded tournament in 2022 had a viable operating model been found and had all parties concluded that an expanded 48-team edition was in the best interest of football and Qatar as the host nation.
“With just three and a half years to go until kick-off, Qatar remains as committed as ever to ensuring the 32-team Fifa World Cup in 2022 is one of the best tournaments ever and one that makes the entire Arab world proud.”