FilGoal | News Dialogue

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he had spoken with Qatar, which will host the 2022 World Cup, in order to increase the number of teams to 48, and said that the idea was welcome. In a long dialogue with the newspaper "Union" UAE.

"This is a very positive sign that the UAE is launching the Year of Tolerance in 2019 the same year as the Asian Cup and that all of Asia will be on the land of tolerance here, in the WATER, "said Infantino. And the UAE, which deals with tolerance and everyone feels it here on their territory, is not strange to this people and the leaders of this country. "

"I wish the UAE every success in an outstanding tournament and to all participating teams, and I hope that everyone will enjoy a wonderful atmosphere, whether visitors or amateurs, and will encourage their teams to participate in the tournament. largest Asian championship in history.This wonderful value relates to life and football, and I hope to see a special tournament for everyone and see a very strong and sophisticated football. "

"As a host country, the Asian Cup now has 24 teams for the first time in its history.It is already a landmark decision.The UAE has the capacity to organize and organize the event. to organize a tournament of this magnitude.As President of FIFA, I have witnessed the contribution of the UAE to the FIFA World Cup in 2017 and 2018. At the highest level presented at the tournament. "

The United Arab Emirates hosts the 17th edition of the Asian Cup, which will be held from January 5th to February 1st.

"What I saw from Al Ain did not surprise me because I think that there is a big development in the world football and that it does not happen. There are no big differences as before … Everyone has seen what Croatia did at the World Cup in Moscow and now Al Ain has presented the championship, "he told the club. Exceptional in the World Cup clubs and ousted the heroes of 3 continents and crashed against Real Madrid and thus lost the final, but what he has achieved is certainly impressive, I'm not sure. was there and saw it myself.

Al Ain sank 4-1 to Real Madrid in the Club World Cup final in December.

"We have managed to build a new, more transparent and honest international reputation than ever before, and we have restored confidence and increased FIFA's revenue by five," he said. From $ 6 billion to $ 6.5 billion, an increase of $ 1.5 billion in a difficult period when no one would have achieved this goal in the shadow of the greatest crisis in the history of FIFA. I am talking about the crisis of loss of confidence in the reputation of the institution in the past, but now everything has changed And the world is aware that FIFA is run in a fairer, transparent and open way. Integrity ".

"We have organized a world cup that is the coolest in the history of the World Cup and everyone has attended a very special tournament in which Russia has excelled in organizing and l & # 39; As everyone has seen, we have also made the historic decision to organize the World Cup with 48 teams.With the 2026 version to be held in the first three countries of the world – the 39, America, Canada and Mexico

"Everyone understands how public and transparent voting and justice are, these are the principles for which we work at FIFA, even in financial transactions, agreements, sponsorship and other activities. Other aspects.The decision to increase historically because the world was waiting for it was unanimously approved by the General Assembly, I am proud of it, so much so. more than anyone else has come to stress that FIFA has become an organization based on transparency in its relations with all and in order to do justice to all. "

"We talked about it in Qatar, and they are open to reflection, because it will be very difficult, because we logically see that 2022 will be held with 48 teams," he said. In Qatar alone, it is not a fault. The Bandala 2026 will be organized from 3 American countries, so why does not it happen here in the Gulf? "

"If the Gulf countries manage to host the World Cup in 2022, the success will be for everyone in the Arab world, not just for the Gulf." I love this region, yes, I love the region. Arab and the Gulf region.

"Why not transfer some matches from the 2022 World Cup to the United Arab Emirates, for example, it would be great and I hope that other countries in the region will become a common organization with great significance for the world. I look forward to it as FIFA President and discussions have been held with regional leaders in this regard. "He said.

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.

"This is not true what some reports say about a dispute with the European Football Union (UEFA) or a tension between us. There is a divergence of views on certain things, there is also agreement on many things, "he said. And that is healthy and natural, because Viva makes the decision that benefits all continents and all unions and not a particular continent or union and everyone understands it. This is the essence of the philosophy of transparency and integrity in which we work. We are moving forward and the whole world wants to increase Mund Clubs and I think that Europe also wants so many European countries want to increase the World Cup ".

"The debate is here and it will be the two championships, and that's what everyone wants, but the final decision of the Executive Bureau in March The World Cup will consist of 24 teams and will be held every 4 years old or younger and is still in discussion and maybe every two years to see new teams. "

"This really gives me a positive indication of more than 190 unions around the world who have sent me a letter of appointment for the second term.This also means that the world sees what we do and respects and wants us to continue our development path. "

"I think it's a matter of trust between me and the federations, and this position is also an encouragement to the nations and continents of the world for me to complete what I've started." J & # 39; I did more than I promised, like the World Cup, which I promised to raise to 40 C is now a state of 48 nations and the development continues and the whole world is sharing I therefore see the 190 speeches that support what we are doing and I thank all the federations. "