Skip to content

FIFA looking at expanding World Cup field in time for 2022

MOHD RASFAN / AFP / Getty

FIFA president Gianni Infantino says the plan to expand the 2026 World Cup field from 32 to 48 teams could be pushed up for the 2022 installment in Qatar.

"If it is possible, why not?" Infantino said during Monday's opening of the Asian Football Federation's base in Kuala Lumpur, according to BBC.

In order for the field to expand for 2022, Qatar may have to share hosting duties with a neighboring country.

"We are discussing with our Qatari friends, we are discussing with our many other friends in the region, and we hope that this can happen," Infantino continued.

"And, if not, we will have tried. We will have tried because we always have to try to do things in a better way."

With the United States, Mexico, and Canada set to host the 2026 World Cup, a decision was made in January 2017 to increase the number of competing nations to 48, split into 16 groups of three. The number of tournament matches will rise from 64 to 80, with finalists still playing on seven occasions.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox