Infantino reveals World Cup expansion plans

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed his desire to expand the World Cup to 48 teams in the future.

Infantino was speaking during a visit to Colombia with the idea to be discussed by the Council in January.

He said to Reuters: “The idea is that 16 teams would qualify directly to the group stage and the other 32 would play in a preliminary phase, discount in the country where the World Cup is being played — they would play for the remaining 16 places,” 

“It means we continue with a normal World Cup for 32 teams, but 48 teams go to the party.”

Previously Infantino had expressed his desire to expand the World Cup following te 2022 event in Qatar to 40 teams.