FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has defended his pet expansion of the World Cup as a mission to bring the most popular global sports event fully into the 21st century.
He gave the explanation in a press statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
The 46-year-old Swiss head of the world federation was speaking after its council meeting in Zurich.
The council unanimously approved a proposal for a leap from 32 to 48 teams at the 2026 finals.
“We are in the 21st century, so we have to shape the World Cup for the 21st century.
“We have to look into the future; football is more than Europe and South America; it is global.
“The FIFA Council felt this is positive and will help football development,’’ Infantino stated. (NAN)
OAF /AIB/MO