Top European clubs slam Fifa for putting politics over sport in expanded, 48-team World Cup

Infantino plan: The Fifa president's proposal was unanimously confirmed by the Council
AFP/Getty Images
James Benge10 January 2017

The organisation representing Europe’s top clubs have lambasted Fifa’s “political” decision to expand the World Cup.

Football’s governing body this morning announced that the World Cup would grow from 32 to 48 teams from 2026 onwards, a deal that could earn £800m for Fifa.

The Fifa Council unanimously voted in favour of the expansion, which is expected to dramatically increase representatives from African and Asian federations.

The European Club Association, whose 220 members include the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United and who would employ the majority of the players at the 2026 tournament, have long made clear the opposition to an expanded World Cup and accused Fifa of putting politics ahead of sporting integrity.

“The European Club Association reiterates that it is in principle not in favour of an expanded World Cup,” a statement read.

“We fail to see the merits to changing the current format of 32 that has proven to be the perfect formula from all perspectives. Questionable is also the urgency in reaching such an important decision, with 9 years to go until it becomes applicable, without the proper involvement of stakeholders who will be impacted by this change.

“We understand that this decision has been taken based on political reasons rather than sporting ones and under considerable political pressure, something ECA believes is regrettable.

“ECA will analyse in detail the impact and the consequences of the new format and will address the matter at the next meeting of its Executive Board scheduled for the end of January.”

Fifa’s proposed new tournament will consist of sixteen group of three teams, of whom two will qualify to a last-32 knockout round. Penalty shoot-outs will also be used to decide tied group stage games.

The hosts of the 2026 tournament will be announced in 2020, with Canada, Mexico, the United States and Colombia all having declared an interest in hosting.

An expanded World Cup was proposed by new president Gianni Infantino last year but critics have alleged that the move by the new president is designed to curry favour with member associations.

WORLD CUP CHANGES OVER THE YEARS

URUGUAY 1930 | 13 Teams

One group of four and three groups of three, with only top team progressing to semi-finals

ITALY 1934 | 16 Teams

Knockout tournament

BRAZIL 1950 | 13 Teams

Three groups of four and one group of three, with top side progressing to final group of four

SWITZERLAND 1954 | 16 Teams

Four groups of four, but only two games in each group, with top two sides through to quarter-finals

SWEDEN 1958 | 16 Teams

Four groups of four, this time with three games. Top two sides through to quarter-finals

WEST GERMANY 1974 | 16 Teams

Four groups of four but now followed with two groups of four, the two top sides competing the final

SPAIN 1982 | 24 Teams

Six groups of four followed by four groups of three, the winner of each qualifying for the semi-finals

MEXICO 1986 | 24 Teams

Six groups of four, top two sides and four best third-placed teams qualifying for round of 16

FRANCE 1998 | 32 Teams

Eight groups of four, top two sides progressing to knockout rounds

Souce: BBC Sport

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