Dismay as FIFA decides to expand World Cup to 48 teams

(VNF) - FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams was made as a step towards greater inclusivity - but the first major change to the tournament since 1998 has kicked off widespread pision in the football community.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

From 2026, the new format will include a first round of 16 groups of three teams, opening up the tournament to 48 teams from the current 32 (FIFA said further details would be given later). But critics pointed out that this could mean most teams would play a maximum of two games.

Some fans cheered this sentiment. Others said this could lead to a drop in quality.

New FIFA Now, a group campaigning for independent reform of the football body cried foul, branding the new format a "money grab and power grab" by new FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who had made expanding the World Cup one of his campaign promises.

Mr. Infantino has argued that more team places would boost "inclusion" in the tournament.

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona agreed that the new format "will give more possibilities to countries that have never reached that level of competition"./.

( Compiled by VNF )