FIFA to add 16 teams for 2026 World Cup www.nhk.or.jp
Soccer's governing body, FIFA, says the 2026 World Cup will have 48 teams, 16 more than at present.
The FIFA Council unanimously approved the expansion in a meeting in Zurich on Tuesday.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed the expansion last October.
Participants at Tuesday's meeting say that despite initial opposition from some FIFA Council officials, almost nobody raised objections as FIFA stressed the benefits of the expansion, including an increase in revenue.
The World Cup finals will be expanded for the first time in 28 years.
The number of teams increased from 24 to the current 32 in the 1998 World Cup in France. Japan made its first appearance in that year.
FIFA has yet to decide how many extra places will be allotted to each of the 6 continents.
At present, Asia has 4.5 slots for the World Cup finals. There is speculation that this may be increased to 7.
Published Date:2017-01-11