After the consultation process with all the relevant Stakeholders, FIFA said that it couldn’t take such a big step in the World Cup 2022.
On Wednesday, FIFA putted a proposal to increase the number of teams from 32 to 48 in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar.
On January 10, 2017, FIFA council unanimously decided to expand the number of teams to 48-team competition as of the 2026 edition which will be co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico as reported by The Xinhua News Agency.
After a viability study on expanding the number of teams from 32 to 48 in the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar in 2022, the FIFA council concluded that the 48-team expand in the competition was possible during a meeting in Miami this March, along with the phrase that the neighbouring countries will host the matches with the Qatar as the main host in the World Cup.
FIFA and Qatar have reached all the possibilities of expanding the number of teams from 32 to 48 involving the neighbouring countries to host some matches with Qatar.
FIFA said in its statement – “A joint analysis, in this respect, concluded that due to the advanced stage of preparations and the need for a detailed assessment of the potential logistical impact on the host country, more time would be required and a decision could not be taken before the deadline of June”.
“It was therefore decided not to further pursue this option,” it continued.
“The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will therefore remain as originally planned with 32 teams and no proposal will be submitted at the next FIFA Congress on June 5,” added.
The FIFA Congress will be held in Paris prior to the Women’s World Cup in France from June 7 to July 7.
