European Leagues oppose FIFA's World Cup expansion plan
What's the story
Several football leagues have opposed the FIFA's plan to expand the 2022 World Cup, European Leagues president Lars-Christer Olsson said. Football's Governing Body had proposed to expand the World Cup from a 32 team affair to a 48-team carnival from the 2026 edition, but FIFA is now considering to implement it in the 2022 edition in Qatar. Here's more!
Mega carnival
FIFA to expand World Cup from 32 teams to 48-teams
The European Leagues Association has 32 professional football leagues under its belt. The association is opposed to the idea of making the 2022 FIFA World Cup a 48-team affair. The main concern is that it would add extra days and matches. The 2022 World Cup will be played midway through the European football season in November and December.
Quote
FIFA plan could interfere with leagues' schedules
"We are not prepared to make any changes on the calendar for expanding the 2022 World Cup. We have already been flexible to allow the World Cup to be played in the winter...we are not prepared for the duration to be any longer." Olsson said.
Winter WC
2022 World Cup to be held in November-December
The 2022 World Cup will be held in the winter to avoid the extreme temperatures in Qatar during the months of June and July. This has forced several leagues to adjust their calendars to accommodate football's mega carnival. FIFA will further deliberate on the expansion plan of the 2022 Qatar World Cup in the next FIFA Congress to be held in June.