48-team WC gets thumbs up at FIFA meet

Singapore, December 8

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said a proposal to expand the World Cup finals to 48 teams, with 16 groups of three teams, received enthusiastic backing at a meeting of national federations today.

A select meeting of national federations from Asia, Europe and Oceania met with Infantino today, and welcomed a change from the current eight-group, 32-team event.

“They are very supportive of expanding; everyone, unanimously — all those who were here,” Infantino said after the meeting. — AP