World football’s governing body, FIFA, will make a decision in June on whether to expand the number of teams in the 2022 World Cup from 32 to 48.
The FIFA Council met on Friday in the U.S. and discussed the result of a feasibility study that explored the possibility of expanding the tournament in the next edition.
The increment in the number of participating teams in the FIFA world Cup was a major focus of president Gianni Infantino as he took over the helm of the authority in 2016.
The 48-year-old said the study showed it was possible to increase the size of the tournament to 48 teams “providing certain conditions are met.”
Infantino also noted that increasing the number of teams would require countries around the host nation, Qatar, to host some games.
“We will move to the next stage, we will explore the possibility of who could potentially be hosting some of the Games in the Gulf regions,” the FIFA chief said.
“And if we come to some conclusions in June we will make a proposal to the Council and to the Congress, who is our ultimate decision making body, who will provide the final decision on this topic.
Qatar will become the first ever Middle East country to host the FIFA World Cup, having won the rights in 2010.
