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IKOLI VICTOR
Doha
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said a “majority” of football federations support increasing the number of teams playing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from 32 to 48.
Speaking at a press conference in Doha on Thursday, Infantino said, “We have spoken with the Qatari authorities. We will see, we gathered the opinions of members of different federations, so far the majority of them are in favour for 48 teams in 2022 because it gives teams chance to qualify from each continent.”
“It gives teams a realistic chance of qualifying for the World Cup. In Asia, we have four teams qualifying already that will be increased to eight teams and in Africa, five to 10 teams qualifying it to make a big difference.”
On the feasibility and prospect of the tournament being shared with neighbouring Gulf countries, some of whom have blockaded Qatar since June 2017, Infantino said: “Is it feasible or not? Feasible in Qatar maybe not, in neighbouring counties maybe it is an option. I am not naive not know or read the political situation.”
“Sometimes in football, dreams can come true, and Qatar has been clear on this topic and that’s the more reason we should look into it. If possible, then why not. If it is not, we would still have a fantastic World Cup of 32 teams.”
Infantino reiterated that FIFA will decide in March whether the 2022 World Cup could be extended to include 48 teams but conceded it was not a simple decision as the final authority to play games in Saudi Arabia will be made between FIFA and Qatar. page 12
Doha
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said a “majority” of football federations support increasing the number of teams playing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from 32 to 48.
Speaking at a press conference in Doha on Thursday, Infantino said, “We have spoken with the Qatari authorities. We will see, we gathered the opinions of members of different federations, so far the majority of them are in favour for 48 teams in 2022 because it gives teams chance to qualify from each continent.”
“It gives teams a realistic chance of qualifying for the World Cup. In Asia, we have four teams qualifying already that will be increased to eight teams and in Africa, five to 10 teams qualifying it to make a big difference.”
On the feasibility and prospect of the tournament being shared with neighbouring Gulf countries, some of whom have blockaded Qatar since June 2017, Infantino said: “Is it feasible or not? Feasible in Qatar maybe not, in neighbouring counties maybe it is an option. I am not naive not know or read the political situation.”
“Sometimes in football, dreams can come true, and Qatar has been clear on this topic and that’s the more reason we should look into it. If possible, then why not. If it is not, we would still have a fantastic World Cup of 32 teams.”
Infantino reiterated that FIFA will decide in March whether the 2022 World Cup could be extended to include 48 teams but conceded it was not a simple decision as the final authority to play games in Saudi Arabia will be made between FIFA and Qatar. page 12
