DOHA • A "majority" of football federations support increasing the number of teams playing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from 32 to 48, Fifa president Gianni Infantino said in Doha on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference after a three-day Fifa summit, which was attended by more than 70 federations, he revealed that the plan enjoyed widespread backing from different associations, but admitted there were doubts about its "feasibility".
"We will see," Infantino said. "So far, of course the majority is in favour because 16 more teams can participate, not only means 16 more countries with World Cup fever, but also 50 or 60 more countries being able to dream."
A decision will be made in March at Fifa's next council meeting, after a feasibility study is completed.
The world football governing body has backed a 48-team tournament to become the norm from 2026, when the World Cup takes place in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
But, with the 2022 host "open" to the idea of a 48-team tournament, Infantino is considering implementing the changes earlier.
He said: "Of course, the first partner with whom we are speaking to is the Qataris, the Qatar federation, the Qatari authorities."
However, any decision to extend the showpiece event would be beset by logistical and political problems.
The first World Cup to be held in the Middle East will take place over 28 days, not the usual 32 and, according to Infantino, the length of the tournament is set in stone.
Since the number of days cannot be changed, one option would be to host games across the region.
Yet that possibility seems remote as Qatar is at the centre of the worst diplomatic crisis to hit the Persian Gulf in years.
Since June last year, the country has been politically and economically isolated by its neighbours, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
They have accused Qatar of supporting terrorism and being too close to Iran.
Doha has denied the charges, claiming its former allies are seeking to instigate a regime change and Infantino is well aware the embargo could prove problematic.
"Of course I am not that naive, not to know, not to read the news about what is going on. But we are in football, we are not in politics," he added.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Baihakki Khaizan is eager to get reacquainted with former national teammate Noh Alam Shah who has been brought in as player mentor for the Singapore Lions and reckons the latter "brings something to the team that has been missing for years."
'Bye, 'bye, Baihakki! - SPORTS247.MY | The Ultimate Malaysian
France make light work of South Korea in World Cup opener
CORNELLA DE LLOBREGAT: Espanyol's Wu Lei became the first Chinese player to score in La Liga on Saturday as his goal helped his team to a 3-1 win over Real Valladolid.
Football: Wu Lei makes history for China in La Liga, Football
Barcelona's superstar Argentina forward Lionel Messi called on United Kingdom authorities to resume the search for his fellow countryman Emiliano Sala who went missing over the English Channel.
Lionel Messi calls for resuming search for missing Sala
Santiago Solari said head coaches need to trust in VAR after Real Madrid benefited from a controversial call in Wednesday's 2-1 Champions League win at Ajax. Holders Madrid took control of their
The Straits Times - Breaking News, Lifestyle & Multimedia News
Mauricio Pochettino: Spurs manager charged with improper
Zidane set for shock Madrid return. By. a shock return as coach of Real Madrid after the club decided on Monday to sack Santiago Solari, say reports in the Spanish press. Madrid president
Zidane set for shock Madrid return | Aaj News
Manchester City's hopes of retaining their Premier League title suffered a potentially grievous blow as struggling Newcastle United earned a remarkable 2-1 comeback win over the champions at St James' Park on Tuesday. City were far from their rampant best but a goal after 24 seconds from Sergio
22 1993, The Times, #64598, UK (en)_djvu.txt
Search the history of over 357 billion web pages on the Internet.
315381 10201276550382602 438502351 n - friendzone.fr
LONDON: The English Football Association (FA) has charged Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino with improper conduct for confronting the referee after Saturday's shock 2-1 Premier League
Football: Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino charged for improper
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud said he has been approached by other clubs to play for them next season but wants to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge if manager Maurizio Sarri can offer regular
Giroud demands important role at Chelsea FC next season
watch coppa america live streaming sub eng
watch premier league darts live stream
watch champions league final online free live streaming
watch champions league live streaming bt sport
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch premier league live streaming xbox one
watch soccer game live espn
watch live soccer stream android
watch live soccer streaming free android
watch soccer games online free streaming live
watch soccer online free streaming live india
watch soccer live streaming juventus
watch live streaming soccer world cup
watch coppa america live streaming philippines
watch soccer online free streaming live bbc
how to watch champions league live streaming
watch live streaming soccer online espn3
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online
watch coppa america live streaming australia
watch coppa america live streaming rcti
watch afghanistan premier league live stream
watch soccer online free streaming live uk
watch soccer live streaming zimbabwe
watch premier league live streaming zee tv
watch coppa america live streaming total sportek
watch champions league live streaming eng
watch coppa america live streaming hd
best site to watch live soccer streaming
watch everton vs tottenham live soccer streaming
watch soccer live streaming qatar
watch premier league live streaming juventus
where to watch champions league live streaming
watch the champions league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming manchester united
soccer tv live football streaming gratuit
watch coppa america live streaming crictime
watch coppa america live streaming putlockers
watch champions league simulcast live stream
watch hd soccer live streaming free
watch coppa america live streaming jamaica
watch premier league live streaming xfinity
watch soccer live football streaming - ronaldo7.net
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch soccer games live stream free
watch coppa america live streaming canada
watch coppa america live streaming tv
watch indian premier league live streaming
watch champions league live streaming pc
watch champions league live streaming now tv
watch coppa america live streaming zee5
watch soccer live live football streaming cr7
watch coppa america live streaming free
watch soccer online free streaming live espn
watch soccer online free streaming live liverpool
watch epl live streaming on iphone
watch coppa america live streaming in india
live football watch free live football streaming free soccer
watch premier league net live stream channel
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
watch live english premier league online free streaming
watch soccer game live now
watch soccer online free streaming live first row
watch iceland soccer live stream
watch coppa america live streaming pc
watch coppa america live streaming hotstar
watch premier league live streaming online
watch coppa america live streaming india vs england
watch premier league live streaming free
watch coppa america live streaming reddit
watch sky sports premier league online free streaming live
watch soccer online free streaming live canada
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch the premier league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming video
watch champions league live streaming jamaica
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
www.watch premier league live stream.com
watch champions league final live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
super soccer tv live streaming napoli vs juventus
watch premier league net live manchester united stream channel
watch indian premier league live stream online
watch champions league draw live streaming free
watch premier league live streaming qatar
watch premier league live stream reddit
watch soccer live stream links
soccer tv live football streaming reddit
watch coppa america live streaming india
watch soccer live streaming xbox one
watch english premier league live streaming hd
#battuteepiche #knuckleball #fcbarcelona #rockstar #commento #adidasslipon #americanfootball #footballfans #footballdubai #football #oudmehta #uefanationsleague #acmilan #ballondor #kickoff #petercrouch #24x7 #lionelmessi #neymar #panini #nikesoccer #livestreams #footballmemes #oasisofficial #serieatim #arsenalfantv #gym #frasitrap #elcasico #footballmeme #BMW #Bar #tokyo #sunderlandafc #bestshishacafedubai #manchesterunited #copaamerica #zinedinezidane #afcnews #alissonbecker #livesports #jadwalbolahariini #linkstreaming #girlsniteout #Liverpool #watchlive #league1 #realmadridcf #ronaldo #satira #liverpool #ucl #leicestercity
No comments:
Post a Comment