![Football: Infantino kicks off talks on WCup expansion](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2016/11/_2/740x404/pic_1479914461_2.jpg)
Football: Infantino Kicks Off Talks On WCup Expansion
Muhammad Rameez Published November 23, 2016 | 08:10 PM
![Football: Infantino kicks off talks on WCup expansion](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2016/11/_2/740x404/pic_1479914461_2.jpg)
PARIS, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Nov, 2016 ) - FIFA president Gianni Infantino wrapped up the first of 11 executive meetings with federation representatives Wednesday by saying those gathered in Paris were all in favour of expanding the World Cup.
Infantino is all for growing the cash cow tournament from 32 to as many as 48 teams. A 48-team format would see the 16 group winners of a qualifying round automatically book a place in the tournament, while additional 32 teams would compete in a new pre-tournament play-off.
From the play-off, 16 nations would then move on to the World Cup itself. There have also been proposals for a 40-team competition with eight groups of five teams, or 10 groups of four.
A final decision will be taken at a FIFA Council meeting on January 9 and 10.
"This was all about explaining things, clearing up any misunderstandings. I think we managed to do that," Infantino told reporters after meeting some 20 federation representatives. "The consensus of the federations here is that everybody wants an extension (to the World Cup).
"Then there are those who are more favourable to 40 teams and others 48. The question was raised: what's the distribution, the guarantee of having teams from the continents taking part in the finals?" Infantino will hold similar talks in Singapore, Miami, Doha, Addis Abeba and London between December 6 and March 9, 2017.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
![Cricket: England v West Indies 3rd Test scoreboard](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019914.jpg)
Cricket: England v West Indies 3rd Test scoreboard
![Finance minister briefs Chinese officials on refor ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019922.jpg)
Finance minister briefs Chinese officials on reform agenda, engagement with IMF
![Finland says Russian vessel violated its territori ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019912.jpg)
Finland says Russian vessel violated its territorial waters
![Olympic opening ceremony under way on River Seine](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019266.jpg)
Olympic opening ceremony under way on River Seine
![West Indies' treble strike rocks England in third ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019264.jpg)
West Indies' treble strike rocks England in third Test
![Ukraine court orders detention of suspect in murde ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019262.jpg)
Ukraine court orders detention of suspect in murder of nationalist ex-MP
![Long queues, ticketing problems ahead of Paris ope ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019015.jpg)
Long queues, ticketing problems ahead of Paris opening ceremony
![Rana Sanaullah Khan joins Paris 2024 Olympics inau ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019638.jpg)
Rana Sanaullah Khan joins Paris 2024 Olympics inauguration reception
![Glowing tributes mark 69th birthday of President Z ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019637.jpg)
Glowing tributes mark 69th birthday of President Zardari at Governor's House
![Players unaware of spying scandal as Canada Olympi ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019635.jpg)
Players unaware of spying scandal as Canada Olympic coach sent home: official
![Naqvi hails Pak women cricketers for going down fi ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019013.jpg)
Naqvi hails Pak women cricketers for going down fighting against SL
!['Sabotage' on French rail network before Olympics: ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019634.jpg)
'Sabotage' on French rail network before Olympics: What we know
More Stories From Sports
-
Cricket: England v West Indies 3rd Test scoreboard
6 hours ago -
West Indies' treble strike rocks England in third Test
7 hours ago -
Players unaware of spying scandal as Canada Olympic coach sent home: official
6 hours ago -
Naqvi hails Pak women cricketers for going down fighting against SL
7 hours ago -
Cricket: England v West Indies 3rd Test scoreboard
7 hours ago -
Holder and Da Silva keep England at bay after West Indies collapse
6 hours ago
-
Initial stage of National Women's Football Club C'ship concludes
9 hours ago -
Tennis: Kitzbuhel ATP results
10 hours ago -
Tennis: Kitzbuhel ATP results
11 hours ago -
Verstappen hit with 10-place grid penalty for Belgian GP
11 hours ago -
Zeeshan Ishfaq takes charge as UAF treasurer
11 hours ago -
Players unaware of spying scandal as Canada Olympic coach sent home: official
12 hours ago