DUBAI – United Arab Emirates – In a candid interview, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), expressed reservations about immediately expanding the FIFA World Cup beyond 48 teams, cautioning that previous host commitments and infrastructure obligations must be respected.
While acknowledging the idea of a 64-team tournament for future editions, Sheikh Salman emphasised that the forthcoming 2026 event under the 48-team format must first be observed in action before further changes are made. He pointed to the financial and organisational strain on host countries, underscoring that Asia may yet be the next region primed to host football’s pinnacle event but only if conditions align.
The remarks come amid growing debate in global football circles about the balance between inclusivity and competitive integrity. Sheikh Salman’s stance—advocating measured progress—adds to the dialogue around how to expand without compromising quality or burdening emerging host nations.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.