FIFA president pushing for 48-team World Cup, with 16 groups

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is pushing for an expansion of the World Cup in 2026 to 48 teams, with his preferred format being 16 groups of three teams before a straight knock-out competition.

In a letter to members of the FIFA Council, the governing body's 32-strong executive board, Infantino outlined five different options for consideration at next month's key meeting in Zurich.