MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 15:11:34| >> :600:222968619:222968619:

FIFA proposes playoff tournament for expanded World Cup

FIFA plans to introduce a six-team playoff tournament as part of its final proposals for a 48-team World Cup in 2026.

FIFA has proposed a six-nation playoff tournament to decide the last two slots at the 48-team World Cup in 2026.

In addition, the allocation of the 16 extra places has been provisionally decided by president Gianni Infantino and the confederations bosses.

All six confederations will have at least one team in the expanded tournament, with no inter-confederation playoffs prior to the playoff tournament.

Africa's guaranteed allocation would increase to nine under the plans, with Asia getting eight slots, CONCACAF six, Europe 16, South America six, and Oceania one.

The final two places would be decided through a November playoff in the host nation, featuring one team from each confederation bar Europe and a sixth from the host confederation.

The two teams with the highest ranking would play the winners of two 'semi-finals', with the winners of those 'finals' qualifying.

The proposal will go before the FIFA Council at its next meeting in Bahrain on May 9.

ID:294956: cacheID:294956:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1775:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho watches on from the stands ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on November 6, 2016
Read Next:
Mourinho in favour of World Cup expansion
>
Read more about Gianni Infantino Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!