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FIFA has abandoned plans to extend the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams and organize a number of games in neighboring countries.
President Gianni Infantino, who pleaded for the tournament to be expanded to 32 teams, agreed that his proposal would be too difficult to implement.
In a statement, the world governing body for sport said: "Following a thorough and comprehensive consultation process involving all stakeholders, it was concluded that, in the current circumstances, such a proposal could not be done now.
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"The FIFA World Cup 2022 will remain as originally planned with 32 teams."
FIFA was looking for a way to overcome logistical and political difficulties in order to expand the tournament, which would have required the use of at least one additional country in the Persian Gulf to accommodate 16 additional matches in the region.
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In March, an internal Fifa report concluded that the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia could not become co-organizers unless they reestablished economic links and travel with Qatar, broken for two years.
FIFA concluded that it was running out of time to prepare a country to host the extra matches.
The regional diplomatic crisis has left neutral Kuwait and Oman as viable solutions. Oman said that he was not enthusiastic about organizing games at the centerpiece of Fifa.
The 2026 World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, should have 48 teams.
Additional reports by AP
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