Infantino assures Africa of 7 World Cup spots....

[Enugu II]

The reality is that if Africa ends up getting only 7 of the 48 World Cup spots then it is a FAILURE. That is the bottomline. If the increase to 48 is designed to offer confederations more fairness in World Cup spot allocations then CAF deserves more than 7 spots.

FIFA boss Infantino assures Africa of at least SEVEN places in expanded World Cup
https://www.modernghana.com/sports/7582 ... laces.html
- www.ghanasoccernet.com


FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has assured Africa of at least seven places in at the World Cup when the global tournament is expanded to 48 countries from 2026.

The Swiss national revealed that the number to be allocated to Africa could still rise depending on the agreement from the FIFA Council.

Africa football leaders who met FIFA executives in Johannesburg last week asked the governing body to double the number of places it has when the World Cup is expanded.

The African leaders demanded at least 10 spots in the 48-team World Cup that Infantino has proposed from 2026 as the continent gave a ringing endorsement to the expansion plans.

Citing Ghana's current tight qualification group for the 2018 World Cup that includes Egypt, Uganda and Congo, the FIFA boss said it made sense for the competition to be expanded.

However Infantino said he will guarantee Africa of least seven places and that number could be increased depending on the decision to be made by the FIFA Council.

"Africa will have seven or more countries in the FIFA World Cup due to the FIFA Council's confirmation of 48 countries which will participate the tournament," Infantino told a press conference in Accra on Monday.

Europe is seeking a minimum of 16 places, up from 13, and wants its sides to be separated in the 16 opening round groups of three teams, with the top two advancing to a 32-team knockout phase under plans approved by FIFA last month.

Asia are expected to get eight to nine places, compared to 4-1/2 now, and South America, which has 10 member countries, a total of six, also up from 4-1/2.

The CONCACAF region, made up of the Caribbean, Central and North American countries, would get 6-1/2 places, compared to 3-1/2, with Oceania, the small Pacific Islands confederation, having one automatic place at the finals instead of 1/2.

Inter-continental playoffs between countries with 1/2 a place would determine the additional spots at the finals.

The final allocation of places must be passed by the FIFA Council.

According to Fifa research, revenue is predicted to increase to £5.29bn for a 48-team tournament, giving a potential profit rise of £521m.

An initial stage of 16 groups of three teams will precede a knockout stage for the remaining 32 with the change coming in for the 2026 tournament.

The number of tournament matches will rise to 80, from 64, but the eventual winners will still play only seven games.

The tournament will be completed within 32 days - a measure to appease powerful European clubs, who objected to reform because of a crowded international schedule.

The changes mark the first World Cup expansion since 1998.

[Bigpokey24]

7 is too small..CAF should fight for at least 8 plus a playoff with Oceania

[fabio]

So 2 more spaces is what Pinnick is fighting for?

[Eaglezbeak]

7 is too small..CAF should fight for at least 8 plus a playoff with Oceania

The report stated that they "sighting Ghanas group" as a reason,Nigerias group has 3 teams that qualified to the last World Cup and all have been African champions half of which where recent Champions and that didn't raise alarms!

[Kabalega]

If this report is true then, I was right. The expansion is just a Trojan horse for UEFA to increase their quota.

Africa should demand for 16 places and hopefully get 12. Any thing less, should come with a more equitable FIFA rankings formula.
Do you all see the problem with the divisions in CAF? There is no unified voice!

The Europeans are doing what they've always done. Divide and conquer! What will it take for Africans to learn?

[ohenhen1]

Keep it at 32.

[1naija]

So 2 more spaces is what Pinnick is fighting for?

What has Pinnick got to do with this? Or is it because Prince told me your drive around London looking for pinicks so you can get free BBQ? Is 2 not more than you have now?

[akamoke]

7 is too small..CAF should fight for at least 8 plus a playoff with Oceania

The report stated that they "sighting Ghanas group" as a reason,Nigerias group has 3 teams that qualified to the last World Cup and all have been African champions half of which where recent Champions and that didn't raise alarms!

Plus 2 in that group made it to the knockouts of WC 2014

Not a big fan of the expanded world cup but if it must be then 9 is the minimum really, else its a failure

[kajifu]

Keep it at 32.

KPOM

[Eaglezbeak]

Keep it at 32.

KPOM

That would solve the problem!

[Tbite]

7 is highly unacceptable. If we get 7 there is no point for CAF to take part. Under no circumstance Judy CAF accept 7.

[Purity]

10

[ohenhen1]

See scamming. So Europe will get 3 more, while Africa gets 2 more interesting.

[Field Marshall Ogolo]

We know the fabled giant of Africa will fail to qualify - then blame it on coach!
This is Kenya's chance!

[TonyTheTigerKiller]

7 is too small..CAF should fight for at least 8 plus a playoff with Oceania

Based on a straight ratio, 8 teams would be reasonable but considering that Africa is underrepresented to begin with, 9 teams would be a fairer allocation


Cheers.