FIFA to vote on ‘pilot’ Club World Cup and expanded World Cup

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FIFA's ruling council will meet on Friday in Miami to discuss President Gianni Infantino's plans for an expanded Club World Cup and a new global Nations League tournament.

Also on the agenda is the potential expansion of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from 32 teams to 48, with the possible addition of extra host nations for the tournament.

According to Reuters, a vote should not take place on the new "Worldwide Nations League" tournament after the governing body's task force reported that it was unable to find consensus on a format for the potential money-spinner.

Instead, the FIFA Council will vote on whether to hold a “pilot” edition of a 24-team Club World Cup in 2021, replacing the current annual, seven-team event.

The hall of FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. /VCG Photo

That plan is opposed by European soccer body UEFA and Europe's professional leagues, who do not want to start any new competition until 2025 at the earliest.

Meanwhile, global players union FIFPro has called on world football's governing body to halt its plans for new competitions and a potential expansion of the 2022 World Cup until it has reviewed the game's “crowded” international match calendar.

Qatari officials will meet with FIFA's leadership in Miami as media reports have suggested that Oman and Kuwait are being considered as possible hosts for some of the games in an expanded tournament.

(With input from Reuters and AFP)