FIFA president Gianni Infantino |
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said
Wednesday he will not be a “dictator” in discussions over his proposal to
expand the World Cup finals from 32 to 48 teams. “I strongly believe in that,
but obviously I’m not a dictator,” Infantino told the closing session of the
Dubai International Sports Conference.
“This is something that needs to be
discussed. When discussed with the associations in the summits they were
overwhelmingly in favour, but more discussions will have to take place,” he
said. Infantino’s proposal for a 48-team World Cup in 2026, featuring 16 groups
of three, will be submitted to the FIFA Council next month. A 40-team World Cup
is also on the table.
Infantino said that expansion means
“inclusion” in the “biggest social and sporting event.” He said failure to
qualify for the finals strongly affects nations, with coaches being sacked and
clubs and players criticised. If they qualify “the whole country lives and
breathes football. Everyone gets interested,” he added. The European Club
Association, the powerful body representing Europe’s top clubs, told Infantino
earlier this month that it opposes a bigger World Cup, saying leading players
were already under too much strain.
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