FIFA: the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will consist of 32 teams and will only expand to 48 teams in 2026

"The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will remain as originally planned with 32 teams and no proposal will be submitted at the next FIFA Congress on 05/06/2019," announced FIFA on 22/05/2019.

The FIFA Council meeting in Miami (Florida, USA) on 15/03/2019, had recommended the transition to 48 teams for this XXII World Cup. This Council decision, which was due to be endorsed by the next FIFA Congress in Paris (FRA) on 05/06/2019, would have resulted in the appointment of a new host country to accompany Qatar in the organisation of the competition, which would then have included a total of 80 matches, compared to 64 since 1998.

"FIFA and Qatar have once again explored the feasibility of Qatar hosting a 48-team tournament by in particular lowering certain key FIFA requirements. A joint analysis, in this respect, concluded that due to the advanced stage of preparations and the need for a detailed assessment of the potential logistical impact on the host country, more time would be required and a decision could not be taken before the deadline of June. It was therefore decided not to further…