Fifa Shelves 48 Team World Cup Plans

Fifa has dropped plans to extend the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams, keeping the tournament to 32 nations.

The plans had been complicated by the fact that the expansion would require a co-host for the event, something that was proving problematic given that Qatar is subject to a blockade by its neighbours in the region after it was accused of supporting Iran and Islamist groups.

According to Fifa following an assessment of the feasibility of the 48 team expansion for Qatar 2022 it "concluded that due to the advanced stage of preparations and the need for a detailed assessment of the potential logistical impact on the host country, more time would be required and a decision could not be taken before the deadline of June".

The expansion could still be introduced ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.