FIFA wants World Cup expansion assessment as pressure on Gianni Infantino mounts

By Jamie Gardner, Press Association Chief Sports Reporter

FIFA is seeking an independent agency to assess the expansion of the men’s World Cup to 64 teams, according to documents seen by the Press Association.

FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, is under increasing pressure amid mounting opposition to plans to seek private investment in a company which would run the World Cup, with three confederations having rejected it and his senior adviser having quit over it.

One of the key concerns around the plan was the potential for private investors to seek ever bigger, ever more frequent tournaments to maximise returns.

Now PA has seen documents in which FIFA expresses its wish to appoint an independent agency to assess an expansion to 64 teams from the current 48, starting with the next finals in 2030.

The timeline on the documents said FIFA would receive agency proposals by August 7, with a FIFA decision on August 14. Delivery of analysis by the agency is then scheduled for September 11.

FIFA has been approached for comment.