By Andrew Warshaw
June 5 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino suddenly appears to be backtracking on bringing forward plans for a 48-team World Cup to the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
As things stand now the World Cup will be increased from 32 teams from 2026 but CONMEBOL proposed in April, seemingly with Infantino’s backing, that the change be introduced four years earlier even though Qatar will be the smallest ever host nation in history.
The item is due to be discussed at next week’s FIFA Congress in Moscow where agenda item 12.2 lists a proposal by the 10 CONMEBOL federations “to carry out a feasibility on the increase of the number of teams from 32 to 48 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.”
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has already expressed his concern about lack of consultation and Infantino has now conceded that the idea might be premature.
“For the moment, we have a World Cup with 32 teams which will be played in Qatar, that is the current situation,” Infantino told a group of agency reporters.
“CONMEBOL made an interesting request… so we will have to look into it. (But) You need many people to agree on going down that road and I think it’s premature.”
“It’s not likely it could change but I don’t think we should be worried of discussing proposals. Obviously Qatar will have to agree.”
Infantino said that if 2022 were to be enlarged, the decision could take up to a year since the tournament may well have to be shared.
“More teams means more stadiums, more venues, more hotels, more transportation,” he said. “Whether this is possible only in Qatar is a question mark and this should be looked into.”
“We have a contract with the Qataris, they have been awarded the World Cup with 32 teams,” he said. “Contracts are there to be respected but there is nothing wrong in discussing.”
Asked directly if Iran could co-host, he said: “I have no idea. Of course, everything is open… let’s go step by step.”
Qatar, which plans to use only eight stadiums, is embroiled in diplomatic rift with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt all of whom severed travel and trade links last June over allegations it was supporting terrorism.
One item not on next week’s Congress agenda is the highly contentious $25 billion offer from a group of unnamed investors for two new Infantino-endorsed tournaments — a revamped Club World Cup and a global Nations League. The idea has come in for widespread criticism but Infantino is sticking to his guns.
“I cannot disclose (details) in that $25 billion. I wouldn’t have any issue it if was (from) Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Russia, the United States, China, Japan… the more, the better.”
“We need to develop football with new ideas, new development funds. We need to get away from having just one tournament one month every four years and thinking this is enough to develop football in the world.”
Infantino also played up Russia’s credentials for hosting the upcoming World Cup despite constant fears over racism and possible hooliganism.
“I have rarely been so relaxed about the organisation of an event,” he said. “I have never seen a country that has done so much for the welcoming of fans as Russia is doing. Everything is being done to ensure Russia will offer a safe environment.”
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