Infantino: FIFA to decide in January on expanded World Cup

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Infantino: FIFA to decide in January on expanded World Cup

Graham Dunbar The Associated Press
Published Thursday, October 13, 2016 1:29PM EDT

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, centre, watches from the stands during the 2018 World Cup Qualifying soccer match, Northern Ireland versus San Marino, at Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Saturday Oct. 8, 2016. (Brian Lawless/AP)

Text:

ZURICH -- FIFA wants to decide in January if the 2026 World Cup will expand from its current 32-team format.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he expects a decision on expanding to 40 or 48 teams when the ruling council next meets. The January session is likely to be held in Zurich.

Infantino says the feeling was "rather positive" toward expansion in Thursday's council meeting.

The FIFA president was elected in February on a campaign pledge to add eight teams to the current tournament.

In a recent speech in Colombia, Infantino suggested a 48-team tournament with an opening playoff round of 16 matches. The 16 winners would advance to join 16 seeded teams.

Infantino says the discussion must include allocating the extra places between FIFA's six continental confederations.