23 May FIFA scrap plans for expanded 2022 World Cup

Plans to expand the 2022 World Cup to 48 teams have been scrapped by FIFA.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino had been pushing to increase the number of participating countries from 32 to 48, but the change would have required another country to co-host the tournament with Qatar.

USA, Canada and Mexico will host the first edition of the 48-team World Cup in 2026, which promoted Infantino to accelerate expansion plans.

In a statement, FIFA said: “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.

“Following a thorough and comprehensive consultation process with the involvement of all the relevant stakeholders, it was concluded that under the current circumstances such a proposal could not be made now."

2022 will be the first ever winter World Cup due to the sweltering conditions in Qatar during the months of June and July.

The tournament gets underway on November 21.