FIFA Consults on 64-Team World Cup Despite Opposition
FIFA has begun consulting on expanding the men's World Cup to 64 teams, with documents seen by ESPN indicating that a decision is sought by August 14. FIFA circulated a research brief titled “Potential expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 64 teams” on Thursday, setting a timetable of just 15 days to reach a decision. That date falls one month before FIFA president Gianni Infantino's deadline for 211 member associations to approve his plan to sell a controlling stake in FIFA's major competitions. The $20 billion sell-off plan appears to be in ruins after UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC condemned and rejected it, while Infantino's senior adviser resigned over the proposal. Despite widespread opposition to selling private investors a stake in the World Cup, FIFA has continued pursuing the expansion proposal on a compressed timetable. A 64-team tournament could change the route African national teams take to reach the World Cup, with possible consequences for Somalia's long-term ambition of qualifying.
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