Gianni Infantino facing club backlash over World Cup expansion plans
Thursday 15 December 2016 09:24, UK
A number of Europe's biggest clubs have written to FIFA president Gianni Infantino to complain about his plans to expand the World Cup finals to 48 teams.
The FIFA Council is expected to vote on January 10 on whether to increase the size of the finals from 32 to 48 teams from 2026.
Last week, Infantino outlined a number of different options for potential expansion to the 2026 World Cup finals and Sky Sports News HQ understands the 46-year-old is keen on the concept of increasing the competition to 48 teams, with 16 three-team groups.
However, the European Club Association has made it clear it will oppose any increase to the number of participating countries at the World Cup and claimed the number of games that clubs are playing has already reached "unacceptable levels".
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are among the clubs understood to be unhappy with the proposed increase.
ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: "We have to focus on the sport again. Politics and commerce should not be the exclusive priority in football.
"In the interests of the fans and players, we urge FIFA not to increase the number of World Cup participants."
The 220-member ECA's research said European clubs employed 76 percent of players at the 2014 World Cup.
