November 24 – Gianni Infantino says the majority of FIFA members are in favour of his plans to expand the World Cup finals to either 40 or 48 teams.
Despite mounting disaffection among some stakeholders, including leagues and clubs, over the controversial move, details of which are due to be announced in January, Infantino told a French magazine it was time to “lift the misunderstandings”.
Following a meeting with a number of federation presidents in France, the first in a series of such get-togethers around the world, Infantino was quoted as saying that their conclusion was that “everybody wants an expansion.”
“Some are more favourable to 40 teams, others 48. We’ll be having more talks over the next few weeks.”
Much has been made of a proposed playoff game in the host country at the start of the finals themselves and whether playing one match before going home is really viable. But Infantino reiterated his support of the idea. “If it’s a one-off game to get into the group stage, with a particular outcome, an entire country lives for such a game.”
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