2022 World Cup: FIFA plans to host some matches from neighboring Qatar

FIFA said it was considering bringing to 48 the number of teams participating in the 2022 World Cup.

FIFA is also studying the possibility of organizing some of the matches of neighboring countries, Qatar, which organizes the activities of the next round of finals, which has been the subject of much controversy since the right to organize this small Gulf State, said Gianni Infantino at a sports conference in Dubai.

Infantino said last month that the majority of national football teams were supporting the World Cup expansion, which is expected to take place before the start of the World Cup qualifiers in March.

"It will be difficult for Qatar alone to host all World Cup matches if the number of participating countries increases," said FIFA President.

FIFA has voted in 2017 to increase the number of national teams participating in the World Cup to 48 teams instead of 32 in 2026, but subsequent comments on the lips of Infanto suggest that 39, he tends to start increasing the number of teams before that date.

"If you think it's good that 48 teams are participating in the World Cup, we have to analyze their potential, so why not try it in 2022 with four years in advance?", A he declared.

"The 2022 World Cup will be played with the participation of 32 teams and we will see if this number can be extended to 48 teams to make the world happy, we will try or do."

For its part, Qatar has stated that it will not take "any final decision regarding the extension of the tournament until we have been informed of the details of FIFA's feasibility study."

The study should include the matches, the number of stadiums, the sites of Al Marran and the number of matches held daily, depending on the eventual expansion.

Qatar has made great progress in implementing an ambitious plan to complete the infrastructure needed for the World Cup organization by setting up eight stadiums at a cost of 6 to 8 billions of dollars.

"If a few neighboring countries can host a number of World Cup matches, it will be in the interest of the region and the world," said the FIFA President.

He stressed that he knew that there were tensions between Qatar and several neighboring countries and that it was incumbent on the leaders of these countries to handle the situation, but it is likely that talking about a football project will be "a lot easier than other complicated things".

He stressed that welcoming the Gulf countries can help part of the World Cup in cooperation with Qatar, "the Gulf region and all countries to develop football and send a positive message on football to world, I think it's worth it. "

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt announced the Doha organization in June 2017, further complicating the situation regarding Qatar's participation in the Doha Round. organization of the 2022 World Cup.

The World Cup is expected to take place in June and July due to intense heat.