IBRAHEEM AL OMARI/Reuters
FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s hopes of expanding the Middle East’s first World Cup in the region were stymied by the regional diplomatic crisis and the governing body’s demands on host countries to adhere to its human- and labour-rights requirements. That means the World Cup will not be expanded until 2026, with FIFA already having approved a format with 48 teams for that tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
A FIFA internal report had already concluded that the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia could not join as co-hosts unless they restore the economic and travel ties with Qatar that were severed two years ago. FIFA secretary-general Fatma Samoura wrote to human-rights activists last month to offer assurances that there was going to be “an assessment of human-rights risks and potential opportunities associated with a possible expansion.”
Globe_Sports Bravo! Now tell me more about how Qatar even got the World Cup and how many people have to die for those stadiums to be built.
Globe_Sports Looks like India will have to wait a little more 😝