FIFA Agrees To Expand World Cup To 48-Teams From 2026

FIFA has unanimously decided to increase the number of teams at the World Cup from 32 to 48 in 2026. This decision was reached by the Council this morning at FIFA Headquarters in Zurich.


New FIFA president Gianni Infantino had inform during his campaign that he will love an expansion that will allow 16 more teams participate at the World's biggest football event. 
And Infantino's proposal won the majority vote among the 37 FIFA Council member, the organisation's strategic body.

Just yesterday Nigerian Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick, although not a member of the Council had excitedly stated that the idea is welcomed by Africa and he is eagerly waiting it's approval.

"So far, everybody's excited about it," he said, as quoted by The Guardian. "I wouldn't say there's 100 per cent support but all my colleagues I've spoken to - all my colleagues - are excited about it.

"I'm not going to say 100 per cent because I haven't spoken to everybody, but certainly most of Africa is excited about it."

However, German great and ECA chairman, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge opined that it will be a bad idea to expand to tournament.

 "In the interest of the fans and the players, we urge FIFA not to increase the number of World Cup participants," Rummenigge said. "Politics and commerce should not be the exclusive priority in football."