MX23RW : Tuesday, November 12 20:13:15| >> :600:255596497:255596497:

FIFA president Gianni Infantino looking to expand World Cup to 48 teams

FIFA is considering a World Cup expansion to 48 teams and will make a decision by 2017, president Gianni Infantino confirms.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that he is looking to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, with the governing body aiming to reach a decision by 2017.

However, he suggested that 16 of those teams would go home after just one knockout match, and the remainder of the tournament would be played, as now, with a 32-team group stage, followed by a knockout phase.

The Telegraph reports that Infantino, speaking during an event in Colombia, said a final decision would be taken by the FIFA Council in January.

"These are ideas to find the best solution. We will debate them this month and we will decide everything by 2017," Infantino is quoted as saying. "They are ideas which we put forward to see which one is the best."

Infantino was elected as FIFA president in February to replace Sepp Blatter, who received a six-year ban for ethics violations.

ID:282538: cacheID:282538:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1244:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
FIFA presidential candidate Gianni Infantino talks during the Extraordinary FIFA Congress at Hallenstadion on February 26, 2016
Read Next:
Infantino: 'Focus back on improving FIFA'
>
Read more about Gianni Infantino Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!