FIFA president Gianni Infantino has indicated future World
Cups could feature 40 teams following the successful expansion of the European
Championship.
Infantino claimed the performance of smaller nations at Euro
2016, increased for the first time this year to 24 teams, and has strengthened
the case for allowing an extra eight nations to qualify for the World Cup.
In an interview with Blick, Infantino discussed pressure from
FIFA's member nations to grow the quadrennial showpiece event, saying: "A
World Cup is still today not only a football game, but something for the
people.
"Look at the mood of the Icelanders, the Welsh, the
Albanians or Hungarians. That's great, this euphoria. What is happening in
those countries, you have got to be proud of it.
"Switching the World Cup from 32 to 40 teams is high,
but it still achieves the goal of FIFA - to develop football in the world. So
advertising is still priceless."
The 46-year-old, who was cleared earlier this month of
breaching FIFA's code of ethics, also claimed the Olympic football tournament
requires a rethink.
The competition, in which teams can field only three players over the age
of 23, does not enjoy the prestige of other international football events.
"This is indeed a problem and a sensitive issue that we
must address together with the International Olympic Committee," he said.
"The tournament is neither fish nor bird in this form
and the men's game, in which primarily under-23 players and a few extra are
played, is not a good solution.
"In addition, the football calendar is too tight. You
have to discuss this seriously again.
"By contrast, the women's football developed superbly at
the Olympics."
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