World Cup: Fifa to expand competition to 48 teams after vote
Fifa president Gianni Infantino had said the World Cup had to be "more inclusive"
The World Cup will be expanded to host 48 teams, up from 32, Fifa has decided.
An initial stage of 16 groups of three teams will precede a knockout stage for the remaining 32 when the change is made for the 2026 tournament.
The sport's world governing body voted unanimously in favour of the change at a meeting in Zurich on Tuesday.
The number of tournament matches will rise to 80, from 64, but the eventual winners will still play only seven games.
According to Fifa's own research, revenue is predicted to increase to £5.29bn for a 48-team tournament, giving a potential profit rise of £521m.
Infantino says the decision on who will get the extra qualification slots has yet to be decided but "this will be looked at speedily".
"No guarantees have been made. The only sure thing is that everyone will have a bit more [representation] than they have today."
He says there is no rush to decide what will be used to separate teams who end on the same points and goal difference. Reports had suggested there could be a penalty shootout at the end of each drawn match.
But he said: "With regard to penalties, this will be part of the regulations to be decided a few years before the event, it is nothing for now.
"These are topics that will be dealt with close to the tournament."
FA wants further information
The Football Association said in a statement: "We will work with Uefa, Fifa and the other European associations to understand how the 48-team Fifa World Cup will work.
"The priority has to be consideration of the potential impact on fans, players, teams and leagues, and also recognition of the importance of sporting integrity and commercial viability.
"In terms of the allocation of places, we note that further discussions will follow across the confederations and would expect a proper consultation process to be carried out before any decision is made."
Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan welcomed the expansion, saying it was a a "positive step, particularly for the smaller nations".
European football's governing body Uefa said: "It was clear that all other confederations were overwhelmingly in favour of expanding the Fifa World Cup to 48 teams. As a result, Uefa decided to join in supporting the new format of the competition.
"Uefa is satisfied that it succeeded in postponing the final decision regarding the slot allocation of every confederation in the future format of the Fifa World Cup.
"We would also like to state that we are happy that the new proposed length and format of the tournament does not increase the burden on players. We will also ensure that clubs' interests will continue to be protected."
'It will dilute the competitiveness'
The European Club Association (ECA), which represents the interests of clubs at European level, reiterated that it was not in favour of an expansion. It said Fifa had made a political rather than sporting decision.
"We fail to see the merits to changing the current format of 32 that has proven to be the perfect formula from all perspectives," it said in a statement.
"Questionable is also the urgency in reaching such an important decision, with nine years to go until it becomes applicable, without the proper involvement of stakeholders who will be impacted by this change.
"ECA will analyse in detail the impact and the consequences of the new format and will address the matter at the next meeting of its executive board, scheduled for the end of January."
New Fifa Now, a campaign group that says the governing body needs to reform, labelled the expansion "a money grab and power grab".
"It will dilute the competitiveness of the tournament and, therefore, the enjoyment of fans," it said in a statement.
"It will not help development of the game or provide improved competitive opportunities for lower-ranked nations. Instead, it will make a mockery of the qualification process for most confederations."
History of World Cup overhauls
World Cup Teams Format
1930 Uruguay 13 1 group of 4 and 3 groups of 3, with only top team progressing to semi-finals
1934 Italy 16 Straight knockout tournament
1950 Brazil 15 (13 took part) 3 groups of 4 and 1 group of 3, with top side progressing to final group of four
1954 Switzerland 16 4 groups of 4, but only 2 games in each group, with top 2 sides through to quarter-finals
1958 Sweden 16 4 groups of 4, this time with 3 games. Top 2 sides through to quarter-finals
1974 West Germany 16 4 groups of 4 but now followed with 2 groups of 4, the 2 top sides competing the final
1982 Spain 24 6 groups of 4 followed by 4 groups of 3, the winner of each qualifying for the semi-finals
1986 Mexico 24 6 groups of 4, top 2 sides and 4 best 3rd-placed teams qualifying for round of 16
1998 France 32 8 groups of 4, top 2 sides progressing to knockout rounds
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Fifa president Gianni Infantino had said the World Cup had to be "more inclusive"
The World Cup will be expanded to host 48 teams, up from 32, Fifa has decided.
An initial stage of 16 groups of three teams will precede a knockout stage for the remaining 32 when the change is made for the 2026 tournament.
The sport's world governing body voted unanimously in favour of the change at a meeting in Zurich on Tuesday.
The number of tournament matches will rise to 80, from 64, but the eventual winners will still play only seven games.
According to Fifa's own research, revenue is predicted to increase to £5.29bn for a 48-team tournament, giving a potential profit rise of £521m.
Infantino says the decision on who will get the extra qualification slots has yet to be decided but "this will be looked at speedily".
"No guarantees have been made. The only sure thing is that everyone will have a bit more [representation] than they have today."
He says there is no rush to decide what will be used to separate teams who end on the same points and goal difference. Reports had suggested there could be a penalty shootout at the end of each drawn match.
But he said: "With regard to penalties, this will be part of the regulations to be decided a few years before the event, it is nothing for now.
"These are topics that will be dealt with close to the tournament."
FA wants further information
The Football Association said in a statement: "We will work with Uefa, Fifa and the other European associations to understand how the 48-team Fifa World Cup will work.
"The priority has to be consideration of the potential impact on fans, players, teams and leagues, and also recognition of the importance of sporting integrity and commercial viability.
"In terms of the allocation of places, we note that further discussions will follow across the confederations and would expect a proper consultation process to be carried out before any decision is made."
Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan welcomed the expansion, saying it was a a "positive step, particularly for the smaller nations".
European football's governing body Uefa said: "It was clear that all other confederations were overwhelmingly in favour of expanding the Fifa World Cup to 48 teams. As a result, Uefa decided to join in supporting the new format of the competition.
"Uefa is satisfied that it succeeded in postponing the final decision regarding the slot allocation of every confederation in the future format of the Fifa World Cup.
"We would also like to state that we are happy that the new proposed length and format of the tournament does not increase the burden on players. We will also ensure that clubs' interests will continue to be protected."
'It will dilute the competitiveness'
The European Club Association (ECA), which represents the interests of clubs at European level, reiterated that it was not in favour of an expansion. It said Fifa had made a political rather than sporting decision.
"We fail to see the merits to changing the current format of 32 that has proven to be the perfect formula from all perspectives," it said in a statement.
"Questionable is also the urgency in reaching such an important decision, with nine years to go until it becomes applicable, without the proper involvement of stakeholders who will be impacted by this change.
"ECA will analyse in detail the impact and the consequences of the new format and will address the matter at the next meeting of its executive board, scheduled for the end of January."
New Fifa Now, a campaign group that says the governing body needs to reform, labelled the expansion "a money grab and power grab".
"It will dilute the competitiveness of the tournament and, therefore, the enjoyment of fans," it said in a statement.
"It will not help development of the game or provide improved competitive opportunities for lower-ranked nations. Instead, it will make a mockery of the qualification process for most confederations."
History of World Cup overhauls
World Cup Teams Format
1930 Uruguay 13 1 group of 4 and 3 groups of 3, with only top team progressing to semi-finals
1934 Italy 16 Straight knockout tournament
1950 Brazil 15 (13 took part) 3 groups of 4 and 1 group of 3, with top side progressing to final group of four
1954 Switzerland 16 4 groups of 4, but only 2 games in each group, with top 2 sides through to quarter-finals
1958 Sweden 16 4 groups of 4, this time with 3 games. Top 2 sides through to quarter-finals
1974 West Germany 16 4 groups of 4 but now followed with 2 groups of 4, the 2 top sides competing the final
1982 Spain 24 6 groups of 4 followed by 4 groups of 3, the winner of each qualifying for the semi-finals
1986 Mexico 24 6 groups of 4, top 2 sides and 4 best 3rd-placed teams qualifying for round of 16
1998 France 32 8 groups of 4, top 2 sides progressing to knockout rounds
), and that'll be end of football as we know it if that is to be allowed. 