ZURICH • Fifa has abandoned plans to expand the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams and play some games in neighbouring countries.
Gianni Infantino, the president of the world football governing body, had been pushing for the tournament to grow from 32 teams, with some matches being played elsewhere in the Middle East.
However, Fifa had to accept that it would be too challenging to do so.
The political problems in the Middle East have proved insurmountable, with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain all blockading host Qatar.
They were three of five countries, including Kuwait and Oman, earmarked as potential hosts for the expanded matches, with Infantino seeing the multiple hosts as a way of ending the embargo and any threat it could pose to the competition.
A Fifa statement on Wednesday read: "In line with the conclusions of the feasibility study approved by the Fifa Council at its last meeting, Fifa and Qatar have jointly explored all possibilities to increase the number of participant teams from 32 to 48 teams by involving neighbouring countries at the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022.
"Following a thorough and comprehensive consultation process with the involvement of all the relevant stakeholders, it was concluded that under the current circumstances, such a proposal could not be made now."
Â
Â
The organisers of the 2022 World Cup issued their own statement, saying: "Qatar had always been open to the idea of an expanded tournament in 2022 had a viable operating model been found and had all parties concluded that an expanded 48-team edition was in the best interest of football and Qatar as the host nation."
The quadrennial event had already been shortened to 28 days as it is being played in November and December, which is in the middle of the European football season.
The expansion plan would have led to up to six matches being played a day, with as little as 48 hours between games for some teams in the group stage.
This had drawn opposition from FIFPro, the international players' union.
The news also came after Europe's top football clubs said in March that they would boycott an expanded 24-team Club World Cup - also backed by Infantino - which is planned to take place from June 17 to July 4 in 2021, replacing the Confederations Cup international tournament.
The 48-team 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will comprise 16 groups of three teams, with only the bottom side in each group going out to make up a first knockout round of 32.
There will be a total of 80 matches to be played in the tournament, compared with 64 under the existing format.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, NYTIMES, THE TIMES, LONDON
Patrice Evra has hit back at accusations of homophobia after PSG blasted the former France captain for calling the Ligue 1 club "a bunch of queers". Evra denies homophobia after social media spat
Evra denies homophobia after social media spat with PSG
Apr 18, 2019 · FIFA backs English players' social media boycott over racism. Soccer players in England are backing a 24-hour boycott of social media to demand a crackdown on racial abuse on the platforms
Female patients with localized hair loss on the top of scalp could select a fall or a demiwig to camouflage crown and anterior scalp loss. (informal, US) Blame or punishment for a failure or misdeed.
Country Side: WEARY FEET…..HAPPY SOUL - Dream Cicles
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp takes some responsibility for the club's 'long dry spell'. The Reds last won a trophy in 2012 - the League Cup - but have not won the Champions League
Klopp takes responsibility for Liverpool's 'long dry spell
Kevin De Bruyne's timely return to action for Manchester City is a major boost for Pep Guardiola as his team brace for a punishing programme over the festive period. The Belgium international, who
Man City's De Bruyne upbeat as he bids to put injuries behind him
"We have exceptional young players who weren't given the licence to express themselves, and being able to express yourself is something that is often associated with United," Yorke, who has scored
Determined Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was 'rare breed' at Man Utd
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo. Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their second goal from the penalty spot with Arturo Vidal at Camp
La Liga: Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo
Jorginho fired Chelsea to a 2-1 win at struggling Fulham on Sunday as Blues keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga began to make amends for his Wembley mutiny with an impressive display. Maurizio Sarri's side
U.S. businesses optimistic on China growth, bemoan unfair treatment. U.S. businesses optimistic on China growth, bemoan unfair treatment. Breaking News. How would you best describe yourself?
Arsenal manager Unai Emery has vowed that his team will attack Valencia in the second leg semi-final clash as they bid to reach the Europa League final. The Gunners travel to Spain next week for the second leg after winning the first leg 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.
Arsenal, Chelsea in strong positions in Europa League semis
England captain Harry Kane wants to end career as NFL kicker Harry Kane is a fan of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and was at the Super Bowl this year, watching from the stands as the
England captain Kane wants to end career as NFL kicker
Football: Sport Singapore enters three-year partnership with
Football. Kane, Lloris rescue point for Spurs against Arsenal. Reuters. Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane (C) celebrates with Jan Vertonghen (L) and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (R) after they block a
Kane and Lloris rescue point for Spurs against Arsenal
soccer tv live football streaming gratuit
watch premier league live streaming youtube
how to watch premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch usa soccer live stream online
watch coppa america live streaming uk
watch coppa america live streaming usa
watch soccer saturday live stream
watch uefa champions league live streaming youtube
watch premier league stream reddit
watch live english premier league online free streaming
watch live soccer game barcelona vs real madrid
watch premier league live stream hd
watch soccer online free streaming live english
watch champions league live streaming vf
watch premier league live streaming yify
watch champions league live streaming pakistan
watch soccer live streaming zimbabwe
watch coppa america live streaming video
live ipl live streaming- watch indian premier league 2013 online
watch coppa america live streaming zip
where to watch premier league live streaming
watch soccer game live espn
watch soccer live streaming mobile
watch coppa america live streaming hd
watch soccer am live stream
watch live soccer online free streaming now
watch coppa america live streaming dailymotion
watch the champions league live stream
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch coppa america live streaming australia
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch soccer live live football streaming cr7
watch champions league final online free live streaming
watch everton vs tottenham live soccer streaming
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming
tv soccer live stream sky
watch live soccer game today
watch premier league live streaming video
watch epl live streaming on iphone
live tv soccer live stream - live3s.com
watch coppa america live streaming hd free
watch live streaming soccer online espn3
watch premier league live streaming juventus
watch coppa america live streaming live free
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
watch coppa america live streaming qatar
watch premier league games live stream
watch tamil nadu premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming sctv
watch premier league live streaming free
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch coppa america live streaming world
watch karnataka premier league live streaming
watch champions league live streaming eng
watch champions league live streaming live
soccer tv live football streaming garuda select
watch indian premier league live stream online
watch soccer live streaming xbox one
watch sky sports premier league live stream
watch soccer online free live streaming hd
watch soccer online free streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
watch soccer online free streaming live app
watch champions league live streaming xbox one
watch coppa america live streaming quality
watch coppa america live streaming without cable
watch coppa america live streaming bola
watch coppa america live streaming rcti
watch live premier league football streaming online for free iraqgoals
khan tv pw watch indian premier league 2018 live streaming
watch champions league simulcast live stream
watch coppa america live streaming ufc
watch champions league online free live streaming hd
watch champions league live streaming canada
watch english premier league live streaming online
watch afghanistan premier league live stream
watch premier league live streaming qatar
watch hd soccer live streaming free
watch indian premier league live streaming
www.watch premier league live stream.com
watch coppa america live streaming spain
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online reddit
watch soccer online free streaming live batman
watch english premier league live streaming hd
watch soccer live streaming xbox
watch coppa america live streaming app
watch coppa america live streaming online
watch premier league matches live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming twitch
watch champions league live streaming xbox
watch soccer online free streaming live canada
watch arsenal southampton premier league live stream
watch premier league live in stream
watch coppa america live streaming portugal
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo7
watch premier league darts live stream
watch live streaming soccer games
watch coppa america live streaming eng
watch coppa america live streaming tv
watch coppa america live streaming english
watch sky sports premier league online free streaming live
watch champions league live streaming cricfree
watch soccer live streaming hd
watch champions league live streaming video
watch coppa america live streaming manchester united
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online india
watch uefa champions league final live streaming free online
watch soccer live streaming kenya vs ethiopia
watch champions league live streaming bein sport
watch uefa champions league live streaming sportek
watch soccer online free streaming live uk
watch coppa america live streaming vivo
watch coppa america live streaming totalsportek
watch premier league live streaming vf
watch coppa america live streaming indosiar
super soccer tv live streaming persib
watch premier league live streaming xfinity
super soccer tv live streaming piala dunia
watch live premier league football streaming online for free
watch live soccer streaming on iphone
watch soccer online free streaming live liverpool
watch soccer live streaming jamaica
watch coppa america live streaming total sportek
watch coppa america live streaming online free
watch champions league live streaming ptv sports
watch soccer am online live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming canada
watch champions league live streaming zee tv
watch soccer online free streaming live first row
#sunderlandafc #Liamgallagher #Vip45 #commento #nutmeg #ballondor #copaamerica #livestreams #lionelmessi #coys #boxing #hotcoffee #visubal #football #myfootballuniverse #thebeatles #fcbarcelona #footballmeme #ignoranza #noelgallagher #frasirap #londoncity #cristianoronaldo #JUVENTUS #gym #24x7 #golazo #champion #liverpoolcity #arsenalnews #juventus #gooners #americanfootball #realmadridcf #tokyo #paulmcartney #mancity #433skills #oasisandbeatles #bayernmunich #realmadrid #sixtimes #footballfans #adidasslipon #firmino #Barca #commentimemorabili #conference #4Series #battuteepiche #oasisofficial #soccerbible #risate #coffeebreak #girlsniteout #gunners #PartyTime #manunited #trollfootball #goal #mensnightout #freekicks #bestshishacafedubai #beatifulgame #ucl #portsmouthfc #liverpoolfc #crossfit #comico #linkstreaming #afcnews #midnight #fut #leicestercity #romania #lovefootball #rugby #petercrouch #coyg #uefanationsleague #acmilan #seriea #cristiano #Suarez
0 Comments