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KUALA LUMPUR • Fifa president Gianni Infantino yesterday said that expanding the 2022 World Cup to 48 teams was "feasible" as host Qatar to a decision in the early part of next year.
He was hired at the Asian Football Confederation 's annual congress in Kuala Lumpur that expanded from 32 teams to 48, which is currently at the 2026 edition in the United States, Canada and Mexico, could be brought forward.
"We have decided to increase the number of teams participating in the World Cup final tournaments from 32 to 48," he told reporters. "It will happen in 2026. Will it happen in 2022? You know it. It is possible. Why not?"
The head of world football's governing body, who also revealed that 180 out of the 211 federations had their support ahead of Fifa's presidential election next year, added that an expanded tournament would see Asia's allocation rise from 4.5 places to 8.5.
"You will have a bigger chance." "It is possible." We are discussing with our Qatari friends. he said to the Malaysian capital.
Accommodating another 16 teams would vastly complicate Qatar's task in preparing for the World Cup, which was awarded to the tiny Gulf state in 2010.
Qatar has also been involved in a stand-off with neighbors in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, which has cut off diplomatic relations and imposed a blockade on the country, accusing it of endorsing terrorism.
Hassan al-Thawadi, head of the 2022 organizing body, told Agence France-Presse that Qatar was studying the 48-team proposal and would make a decision before qualifying gets under way.
"We are still looking at the feasibility studies and we will be in a better position to provide feedback in the future," he said.
"But it will be decided before the qualifications … some time in the first quarter of next year."
He also insisted that the World Cup preparations were "on track" despite the blockade, and that the budget of US $ 200 billion (S $ 277 billion) for the entire infrastructure project had not been affected.
"By 2020-2021, all our (eight) stadiums will be ready," al-Thawadi said. "This is the first World Cup in the Middle East, and is a perfect opportunity to bring together people and contribute to the process of healing."
FRANCE MEDIA AGENCY
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