Nice achievement if first 48-team World Cup held in Asia: FIFA chief

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said here on Saturday that raising the numbers of participating teams for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar would be a nice achievement.

During his speech to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress, Infantino said the majority of member associations supported the expansion, as it would boost football development all over the world if 16 more teams participating in the World Cup.

He added that the world football governing body is currently working on the possibilities with Qatar.

"Sharing a few games with a few of the neighboring countries is of course an option as well to make it a true World Cup for the world and for the whole gulf region," he said.

"Of course, it would only be a nice achievement, if the first World Cup with 48 teams to be played in Asia," he said, adding that the topic would be discussed during the FIFA Congress to be held in Paris, France in June.

Infantino also said FIFA was very happy with preparations for the World Cup in Qatar, with preparations ahead of schedule.

The FIFA Council had unanimously decided in favor of expanding the FIFA World Cup to a 48-team competition as of the 2026 edition in January 2017.