FIFA vote for World Cup expansion

FIFA have voted in favour of expanding the World Cup to 48 teams from 2026.

Under the expansion, which was put forward by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, there will be 16 groups of three, followed by a 32-team knockout. While the number of games will increase from 64 to 80, the tournament will remain at 32 days.

Delegates at a FIFA Council meeting on Tuesday had five proposals to choose from, including retaining the current 32-team structure, but they voted in favour of expanding the tournament to 48 teams.

It is the first World Cup expansion since 1998.

Infantino believes expanding the World Cup will benefit 'the development of football all over the world', while it has been claimed that a 48-team tournament could bring in £800m more in broadcasting, commercial and match-day revenue.

"We are in the 21st century and we have to shape the football World Cup of the 21st century," Infantino told a press conference.

"It isn't any more the 20th century. It is the future, football is more than just Europe and South America, football is global.

"One event in the same period, once every four years, which will help develop football, the Council felt this was positive and it will help football development.

"The football fever you have in a country that qualifies for the World Cup is the biggest promotional tool for football you can have.

"This football promotion, in many parts of the world where today they have no chance to play (at the World Cup), was at the top of our thoughts."

It is unclear how the extra 16 slots will be allocated but the bulk of them are expected to go to African and Asian nations, with Europe expected to gain an extra three places.

"The decision on the slots for the confederations has not been taken because it is not necessary to take the decision," the president said.

"We needed to take a decision on the format because we are preparing the documentation for the bidding process for 2026.

"Let's not forget that the bidding process for 2026 is absolutely bullet-proof and for this it is important to know how many teams are playing, how many stadiums are needed and so forth. This is important to know.

"How many teams from different confederations, this is not necessary for the bidding process.

"That process is bullet-proof and it is important to know how many teams are playing and what the format looks like, that is important to know.

"How many teams from the different countries, this is not necessary for the process for the bidding documents.

"It is an important topic. We have decided this will be looked at speedily to give some more certainty to the confederations.

"No guarantees have been made. The only sure thing is that everyone will have a bit more (representation) than they have today."

However, not everyone is happy at plans to expand the tournament from 32 to 48 years with the European Club Association claiming the move is based on 'political reasons rather than sporting ones'.

"The European Club Association reiterates that it is in principle not in favour of an expanded World Cup," the ECA said in a statement.

"We fail to see the merits to changing the current format of 32 that has proven to be the perfect formula from all perspectives. Questionable is also the urgency in reaching such an important decision, with nine years to go until it becomes applicable, without the proper involvement of stakeholders who will be impacted by this change.

"We understand that this decision has been taken based on political reasons rather than sporting ones and under considerable political pressure, something ECA believes is regrettable.

"ECA will analyse in detail the impact and the consequences of the new format and will address the matter at the next meeting of its Executive Board scheduled for the end of January."

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