FIFA Considering World Cup Expansion To 40 Teams

The World Cup could be expanded to 40 teams

FIFA is considering expanding the World Cup to 40 teams following a dramatic day of developments in Zurich. FIFA's executive committee approved a whole package of reforms for the world governing body including 12-year term limits for the president and senior officials and stronger integrity checks. A decision to increase the size of the tournament from 32 to 40 countries was deferred pending a study of the likely implications.

Press Association report continues:

A number of FIFA members including England's David Gill insisted the administration needed to provide a detailed report into the commercial and footballing implications before final approval is given.

There is strong support for the change from Asia and Africa plus FIFA presidential candidate Gianni Infantino, the UEFA general secretary.

The meeting comes after two FIFA vice-presidents - Alfredo Hawit of Honduras and Juan Angel Napout of Paraguay - were arrested by Swiss authorities in another swoop at the Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich as part of a US-led corruption inquiry.

The World Cup move would be a huge change. Currently there are 32 teams in the finals, and the addition of eight additional countries could mean another 32 matches in the group stage, adding another week to a tournament which is currently 31 days in length. It would take the total number of matches to 96, and the proposed increase would come into force for the 2026 tournament.

The most likely way of accommodating the eight extra teams would be having eight groups of five teams, with the top two qualifying for the last 16 knock-out round. Under that system, it would mean an extra four matches in each group, totalling 32 in all.

The proposal is being seen as a sweetener to persuade members to vote through a package of reforms including 12-year term limits for FIFA ExCo members and the president and making public senior officials' salaries.

It will also take the pressure off Europe whose 13 places have been the source of envy from other continents.

In May, FIFA decided against any change to the World Cup system and keeping the same allocation of places to the continents: Europe 13, Asia 4.5, CONCACAF (Caribbean, North & Central America) 3.5, South America 4.5, Oceania 0.5, host country 1.

Germany's FIFA member Wolfgang Niersbach confirmed the proposal had received strong backing.

He said "The focal point of today's meeting was the adoption of the very comprehensive reform package. A decision on the increase in the World Cup participants from 2026 was deferred.

"It was seen that particularly the Asian and African representatives were in favour of an increase. The subject was initially passed to the administration for further consideration."

Brazilian FIFA ExCo member Fernando Sarney added: "They said they need more details, some economic projections. It is something in the package that we approved - the whole package has been approved but this matter has been reserved."