By Daily Sports on December 29, 2016
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Wednesday he will not be a “dictator” in discussions over his proposal to expand the World Cup finals from 32 to 48 teams.
“I strongly believe in that, but obviously I’m not a dictator,” Infantino told the closing session of the Dubai International Sports Conference.
“This is something that needs to be discussed. When discussed with the associations in the summits they were overwhelmingly in favour, but more discussions will have to take place,” he said.
Infantino’s proposal for a 48-team World Cup in 2026, featuring 16 groups of three, will be submitted to the FIFA Council next month. A 40-team World Cup is also on the table.
Infantino said that expansion means “inclusion” in the “biggest social and sporting event.”
He said failure to qualify for the finals strongly affects nations, with coaches being sacked and clubs and players criticised.
If they qualify “the whole country lives and breathes football. Everyone gets interested,” he added.
The European Club Association, the powerful body representing Europe’s top clubs, told Infantino earlier this month that it opposes a bigger World Cup, saying leading players were already under too much strain. (NAN)
•Photo shows Gianni Infantino
Source Daily Sports
Posted December 29, 2016
You may also like...
Lewandoski On Target Again In Bayern’s Victory Over...
Abraham Celebrates One Year With Serie A Club...
Plumptre celebrates return from injury
Samuel Kalu Returns from Injury
Gerard Ready To Sacrifice His Legendary Status To...
Napoli pray Osimhen returns for Champions League clash...

D’Tigress open W’Cup qualifying campaign with Colombia clash
Onigbide's contributions helped shape Nigeria’s football, NSC mourns ex-Super Eagles coach
Joshua career-earnings per punch recorded at £172k
Onuachu breaks 14-year Trabzonspor goal record
Musa dedicates derby win to Pillars fan
Rivers United’s scoring run thrills Finidi
How Arsenal can win Premier League
NWFL player Ihotu regains freedom after N1.5m ransom
Onyeka doubtful for Bristol clash
D’Tigers drop to 53rd in world rankings
Commonwealth Games: Nigeria’s boxing trials final hold today
Don’t compare Itauma to Tyson — Lewis
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,600 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,928 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,834 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,459 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,376 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,287 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,162 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,704 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,883 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,399 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,790 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,265 views)