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Infantino backs 48-team World Cup with 16 groups

The FIFA president reportedly wants the competition split into groups of three and is expected to submit his proposal to the FIFA Council in January

Gianni Infantino has given his backing to a 48-team World Cup made up of 16 groups of three in the first round, according to AFP.

The news agency reports that the FIFA president wants the new system to begin with the 2026 tournament.

Infantino had originally called for a 40-team World Cup when he ran to succeed Sepp Blatter, but later changed his stance to include a further eight teams, but with 32 teams progressing to the finals.