World Cup 2022 schedule plans for SIX games a day totalling 80 matches in Qatar and neighbouring countries
Fifa president Gianni Infantino reckons he can still increase the tournament to 48 teams despite having just 28 days to work with
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has laid out his plans to increase the Qatar World Cup to 48 teams.
Despite having just 28 days to work with between November 21 and December 18, the supremo thinks he can get the job done.
His scheme would see SIX games being played every day - 80 in total - over the course of the tournament.
The 2026 tournament has already been extended and Infantino is determined to do the same in the Gulf state.
Qatar would not be able to host all of the matches, and neighbouring countries would need to help out.
Ambitious Infantino: “It will be very, very difficult to do this only in Qatar with 48 teams.
"I would personally be very happy if some games were shared with some countries in the region, and in light of the current circumstances in the region we all know about I would be even happier if this could happen and football can build bridges.
“We have to see if we can make it fit into the current schedule, we cannot make it longer, 48 teams in the same number of days.
"It is not ideal, it would entail to have matches simultaneously. We will have to [compare] that with the positive impact this has in those countries that qualify.
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“Yesterday the Irish were here and were saying in rugby we don’t even have to qualify for the World Cup, but in football it is damned hard and if it [included] a few more teams it can help.
“The chances may be small but what is wrong with discussing and debating this? And if it is ‘yes’ and everyone is happy then fantastic.”
Saudi Arabia could be one of the chief beneficiaries of a deal and Infantino was asked if they could claim a "diplomatic win" in the wake of the row over murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
He added: “I don’t know how it would be perceived and by whom. They (Qatar) are open to look at it.”