TEHRAN, April 1, YJC - FIFA has announced its proposed slot allocation for the expanded 48-team World Cup.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - The governing body decided in January to increase the tournament from 32 teams to 48.
Under the proposal made by the FIFA Bureau for the enlarged tournament beginning in 2026, Europe would get 16 places, Africa 9, Asia 8, South America 6, CONCACAF 6 and Oceania 1, totaling 46 teams.
The host nation would qualify automatically and its slot would be taken from the allocation of its confederation.
The 2 remaining places would be decided by a 6-team playoff tournament which would take place in the World Cup host nation, possibly in the November before the finals.
FIFA announced the proposals will be submitted to its council at its next full meeting in Bahrain in May for a final decision.