World Cup 2026: 48 teams, Gianni Infantino gets excited

Just hours before the final of this 2026 World Cup between Spain and Argentina this Sunday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino offered his assessment of this edition.

The Swiss official praised the new 48-team format for the tournament. "The expansion to 48 teams has shown that giving more countries the chance to compete only strengthens the FIFA World Cup. New nations have inspired millions, unforgettable stories have captured hearts across the globe, and football has once again proven itself as a universal language," Infantino declared during the major gathering of FIFA's 211 member associations.

As a reminder, the head of world football's governing body is now pushing for a World Cup with 64 nations.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

Related teams and leagues

World Cup