FilGoal | Infantino News: The 2022 World Cup teams can reach 48 teams. Countries near Qatar can host matches

FIFA plans to increase the number of teams participating in the 2022 World Cup to 48, with some Gulf countries close to Qatar hosting some of the tournament's matches, said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

"Football is synonymous with integration.There is a commonality between Iran and Saudi Arabia: allowing women to enter the football fields.It is a victory above all else. for football, "said Infantino at the International Sports Conference in Dubai.

"I am a lawyer, and the accused is acquitted until proven otherwise, but once under the presidency of the International Football Association, you are charged until you prove your innocence. "

"I was in the final of the Copa Libertadores and I'm sad to see that a match of this magnitude between two teams from the same country and that the match between them did not take place in their country and that it's a defeat for football. "

"The debate on the World Cup is no longer about whether the participation of 48 teams is good or bad, but whether we can do it or not."

"If I thought it was good for 48 teams to participate in the World Cup and we would have it in 2026, why not try it four years earlier in 2022?"

"It's not too late to do something good, that's why we analyze it's possible that 48 teams are participating in the 2022 World Cup."

"It will be a challenge, but I say it diplomatically correct, there are 48 teams in Qatar, 32 possible, which will happen, but if that number goes to 48, it will be a joy for the world and we have to try . "

FIFA had previously announced the organization of the countries of Canada, Mexico and the United States for the World Cup in 2026, with the participation of 48 teams in the tournament.

"If we manage to convince some of our Gulf Region neighbors and those close to the state to organize some World Cup games, this will be very beneficial not just to the region, but to the world, "he said.

"I am not a naive person, I read the news, I am the media and I know very well that there is a great tension in this region."

"It's up to leaders to take over, but it's easy to talk about a common football project on other topics."

"If we can help all those in the Gulf and all the countries of the world to develop football, if we can deliver a positive message on what football can do, then we must try."