FIFA review to decide on expansion of Qatar World Cup to 48 teams

The potential for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to be expanded to 48 teams is to be determined by a newly commissioned feasibility study to be undertaken on behalf of international governing body FIFA.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last week that a majority of national federations were in favour of expanding the 2022 World Cup to 48 teams.

Nasser Al Khater, Assistant Secretary General for Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, commented “we need to remember that Qatar won the right to host the World Cup with a 32-team World Cup, so at the end of the day Fifa will take the decision with Qatar and only if Qatar agrees.”

The FIFA study is expected to include aspects of scheduling, the number of required venues, training sites and how many games per day would be played under an expanded format.

A change to 48 teams would likely require playing some matches outside of Qatar.

A decision is expected by March next year.

Image: The newly revealed design for Qatar World Cup venue the Lusail Stadium.