FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday said Joachim Loew needed to be more open to helping football’s development after the Germany coach criticised plans to expand the World Cup.
Loew, whose Germany side won the 2014 World Cup, has criticised Infantino’s plans to increase the amount of teams from 32 to 40 or 48.
He said it would dilute the quality of the tournament.
“It’s easy for the world champions to have an opinion about the World Cup,” Infantino told reporters.
“What can I say to him? That he must be open to renewal, for football, for football development.
“`Not everyone has the chance to qualify for the World Cup every time like Germany do.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FIFA council is studying proposals for the format and size of the 2026 World Cup.
These range from keeping the current 32-team competition, to a 48-team tournament put forward by Infantino last week.
The council is due to make a decision by Jan. 10.(Reuters/NAN)