Infantino: FIFA still pondering a 48-team World Cup in 2022

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Wednesday that the world soccer's governing body is still pondering on expanding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from 32 teams to 48, as FIFA is expected to decide next month.

"I think it's worthwhile having a look at the idea and trying (to implement it). Obviously it won't be easy, but we've already made the decision to have 48 teams for 2026, so why not before?" Infantino said at FIFA's final Executive Football Summit of the season, held in Rome.

Infantino, who will be unopposed for his re-election as the head of FIFA, floated the possibility of playing matches outside Qatar in order to accommodate the extra teams.

"It will be very difficult to organize it only in Qatar, because of the country's geography, so we are wondering if we can play a few games out of the country," Infantino added.

Khalifa International Stadium in Doha for 2022 Qatar World Cup, January 09, 2019. /VCG Photo

Earlier, the United Arab Emirates' sports chief Mohammed Khalfan al-Romaithi said the UAE, Kuwait and Oman could stage some games if required by host Qatar for the expanded event.

The FIFA chief also said that the Women's World Cup will change the perception of women's soccer, 100 days from the start of the tournament, which is being held in France between June 7 to July 7.

"We expect a billion viewers and 1.3 million fans in the stadiums. Media interest is very high and women's soccer deserves it," he said.

(With inputs from Reuters and AFP)