Having considered the idea of expanding participating teams from 32 to 48, FIFA has eventually suspended the idea. This is as a result of insufficient time & logistical requirements on the part of the football governing body.
The current FIFA president in the person of Gianni Infatino having earlier supported the touted idea as well eventually forgo the plan as he agreed that it will be highly challenging for Qatar alone to host the competition successfully.
However, a recently released statement by the football governing body on Wednesday confirmed that more time would be needed to deliberate on all possible measures needed to actualize the tournament’s expansion, setting next month as deadline for the decision.
This by implication means that the next World Cup slated for 2022 will consist of the traditional 32 teams, which is explicitly stated in this FIFA’s official report;
“In line with the conclusions of the feasibility study approved by the FIFA Council at its last meeting, FIFA and Qatar have jointly explored all possibilities to increase the number of participant teams from 32 to 48 teams by involving neighbouring countries at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022”.
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