Infantino plays down hopes of expanded World Cup in Qatar

FIFA president Gianni Infantino all but wrote off the chances of an expanded 48-team competition at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday.

Last month Infantino told the Asian Football Confederation's annual congress in Kuala Lumpur that increasing the number of teams from the 32 that made up the tournament in Russia this year was "feasible".

However he appeared to backtrack on that during an interview with AFP and other media in Zurich.

"I haven't changed my mind," said Infantino.

"I was positive about it from the beginning because I think if we can increase the number of teams it is good for football. That is why we are going to do it for the 2026 World Cup.

"Can we do it for 2022? It is a difficult challenge."
"So personally, as president of FIFA, I would be very happy if some matches could be shared with some countries in the region."