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The President of the International Federation of Swiss Football # # Gianni_Inventino said that the "FIFA" still discussed the feasibility of increasing the number of teams to 48 in the 2022 World Cup at # Qatar, evoking the possibility of "a few matches in neighboring countries".
"We think that the increase in the number of teams in the World Cup in 2026 is a good decision and we are studying the possibility of implementing it as early as 2022," said Infantino at the end of the three-day executive summit in Marrakech.
"The majority of the federations hope that this will happen, but you have to know if this is possible from a regulatory point of view," he said, adding that it would be difficult to organize. the World Cup with only 48 teams in Qatar.
But Qatar is in a diplomatic crisis with some of its neighbors, led by Saudi Arabia, which complicates the possibility of matches in neighboring countries. "Of course, you know the situation in the Gulf, but we work in football and not in politics, we will see what we can get," said Infantino.
"We want to make it a real World Cup, perhaps with the participation of 24 clubs at the start (against 7 currently)," he said, referring to his plan to make the World Cup Club "much more important. " Clubs around the world, we want to make it a real World Cup, just like the World Cup. "
On the possibility of a joint candidacy from Morocco, Spain and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup, Infantino called the project "interesting" as it sends a "beautiful message" , while stating "that it is his duty to be neutral as President of the International Federation".
FIFA should decide whether to increase the number of teams at the World Cup at a meeting in Miami in March.
Doha has not yet shown a negative or positive attitude towards increasing the number.
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