ZURICH • Fifa has abandoned plans to expand the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams and play some games in neighbouring countries.
Gianni Infantino, the president of the world football governing body, had been pushing for the tournament to grow from 32 teams, with some matches being played elsewhere in the Middle East.
However, Fifa had to accept that it would be too challenging to do so.
The political problems in the Middle East have proved insurmountable, with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain all blockading host Qatar.
They were three of five countries, including Kuwait and Oman, earmarked as potential hosts for the expanded matches, with Infantino seeing the multiple hosts as a way of ending the embargo and any threat it could pose to the competition.
A Fifa statement on Wednesday read: "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."
Â
Â
The organisers of the 2022 World Cup issued their own statement, saying: "Qatar had always been open to the idea of an expanded tournament in 2022 had a viable operating model been found and had all parties concluded that an expanded 48-team edition was in the best interest of football and Qatar as the host nation."
The quadrennial event had already been shortened to 28 days as it is being played in November and December, which is in the middle of the European football season.
The expansion plan would have led to up to six matches being played a day, with as little as 48 hours between games for some teams in the group stage.
This had drawn opposition from FIFPro, the international players' union.
The news also came after Europe's top football clubs said in March that they would boycott an expanded 24-team Club World Cup - also backed by Infantino - which is planned to take place from June 17 to July 4 in 2021, replacing the Confederations Cup international tournament.
The 48-team 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will comprise 16 groups of three teams, with only the bottom side in each group going out to make up a first knockout round of 32.
There will be a total of 80 matches to be played in the tournament, compared with 64 under the existing format.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, NYTIMES, THE TIMES, LONDON
Let alone after playing the Citizens in that Wednesday clash. Spurs sit third in the league and are on course to qualify for the Champions League, while City can put all their energy into the
'A tragic case': Grandparents clash in fight over Andreen
Football: Diehard Malaysian fans sell prized memorabilia to fund trip for AFF Suzuki Cup final against Vietnam HANOI (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Two die-hard Malaysian fans sold their prized Ultras Malaya memorabilia to fund their trip to Hanoi to watch the return leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup final between Malaysia and Vietnam.
Diehard fans sell their prized memorabilia to fund their trip
It is crucial, then, for managers to develop a better understanding of trust and of how to manage it. I define trust as confident reliance on someone when you are in a position of vulnerability.
Jamie Redknapp and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink have slammed the decision not to award Derby a free-kick prior to Chelsea's winner in the Carabao Cup. Chelsea narrowly overcame Derby 3-2 to progress to
Chelsea transfers: the 10 best and 10 worst Premier League
Football: Playing the OLE United way. Manchester United's Jesse Lingard celebrating with Diogo Dalot after scoring in the 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Sunday. New Red Devils caretaker manager Ole
Football: Playing the OLE United way - theworldnews.net
It took 693 days but Tottenham finally returned "home" and in their state-of-the-art new digs, Spurs not only won but began a whole new era. be well worth the wait as Spurs usher in new era in
Tottenham's new stadium proves to be well worth the wait as
'I am so sorry and I apologise to Javi and to Watford': Man City boss Pep Guardiola apologises for Raheem Sterling's offside goal Raheem Sterling's first goal against Watford was a controversial one He was clearly offside, but the referee overruled his linesman's decision Pep Guardiola has said if it was indeed offside, then he is sorry for the goal
Vardy strikes as Leicester City starts New Year on winning note as Leicester City won 1-0 at Goodison Park on New Year's Day. tough day for the Toffees, who
Stoke 1 Everton 1: Leighton Baines eyes winning Toffees run
BARCELONA — Lionel Messi put Barcelona on the verge of the Champions League final with a devastating double in a 3-0 home win over Liverpool in the first leg of their last-four clash on Wednesday, taking his goal tally for the Catalans to 600. The Argentine's milestone goal was a moment of
Messi torments Liverpool with 600th Barca goal in 3-0 win
3 things to know after Liverpool's incredible Champions League win. Reds achieve what many thought was impossible by coming from 3 down to beat Barcelona
How the world reacted to Liverpool's win over Barcelona
Goal achieved despite everything going wrong. Cristiano Ronaldo rueing a missed chance in Juventus' 2-1 loss to Young Boys. But they still topped the group as Manchester United also lost.
Goal achieved despite everything going wrong - theworldnews.net
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen