Qatar urges FIFA talks before any World Cup expansion

AFP, DOHA: Qatar World Cup organisers on Saturday told FIFA it was “important” to hold talks before any final decision was taken to expand the 2022 tournament to 48 teams.

In the first response by the Gulf nation since the shock news that FIFA is looking at bringing forward its plan to increase the number of World Cup teams by four years, Qatar also said it was confident it could still deliver a “successful” tournament.

“Before any decision is taken it is important that discussions are held on the operations and logistics of an increase in size of the tournament in Qatar,” said a spokesperson for Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy in a statement.

“Regardless of the outcome - we are confident in our ability to deliver a successful World Cup in 2022.” Qatar was responding to a request by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), which on April 12 at its congress formally asked FIFA to introduce the plan to expand team numbers in time for Qatar.

 

Qatar urges FIFA talks before any World Cup expansion

AFP, DOHA: Qatar World Cup organisers on Saturday told FIFA it was important to hold talks before any final decision was taken to expand the 2022 tournament to 48 teams. In the first response by the Gulf nation since the shock news that FIFA is looking at bringing forward its plan to increase the number of World Cup teams by four years, Qatar also said it was confident it could still deliver a successful tournament. Before any decision is taken it is important that discussions are held on the operations and logistics of an increase in size of the tournament in Qatar, said a spokesperson for Qatars Supreme Committee for Delivery Legacy in a statement. Regardless of the outcome - we are confident in our ability to deliver a successful World Cup in 2022. Qatar was responding to a request by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), which on April 12 at its congress formally asked FIFA to introduce the plan to expand team numbers in time for Qatar.