FIFA still "looking at" possible expansion for 2022 World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Wednesday that the world football government body is still "looking at" the possibility expand the number of teams taking part in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Speaking at the annual congress of Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Infantino mentioned that the plan has been adopted to increase the number of teams that participate in the finals during the 2026 World Cup from 32 to 48.

"Will it happen in 2022? We are looking at it. If it's possible, why not?" he said, adding that it would have the positive effects on Asian football as the quota for AFC members will rise from 4.5 to 8.5.

FIFA is discussing the proposal with the host Qatar and other partners in the region, Infantino said. "We need to see if it's possible, if it's feasible," he said. "We hope this could happen, and if not, we will have tried."

Meanwhile, Infantino said FIFA is eyeing on revamping the Club World Cup, the next edition of which will be played in the United Arab Emirates in December, "to make it a real competition."

Infantino also suggested the possibilities of introducing UEFA's Nations League system in other confederation to make matches between national teams to be "more meaningful."

For his part, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said the Asian football government body will be working closely with FIFA on new competitions, including the introduction of an Asian league at the worldwide level.