World Cup Looking To Expand With Oceania Federation
Talks have started that may lead to the expansion of the FIFA World Cup to potentially 48 teams.
This news is a boost for Football New Zealand who has been hoping to expand the current number of teams in order for World Cup qualification to tie in with the Oceania Federation Championships.
This federation includes New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and others. New Zealand is hoping that the winner of the Oceania Confederations Cup that determines the best team of the member countries will be granted direct entry into the FIFA world Cup.
A New Way Forward
The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, has stated that the world football federation is very much interested in this new development and they will provide their full support to realise this goal.
FIFA has been very interested in allowing more teams to take part in the world cup event and they are currently looking at different models to integrate more teams.
Currently the 32 team model is inadequate for supporting an expansion of participating teams.
These potential changes will not be implemented before 2026 but a more official decision is expected when the council meets in the New Year.
A FIFA council meeting is planned to convene on the 9th of January in Zurich.
Possible Backlash
Not all voices are in support of the expansion. Notably the European Club Association has voiced strong concerns with possible expansion.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge of ECA has said that expansion should be in the interest of the players and the fans and should not be done for political or commercial gains.
The ECA’s concern is with regards to the additional strain that will be placed on the top players that would go with such a large expansion.
A major change that has officially been announced by FIFA president Infantino is the use of video assisted referees. The system has recently been trialled by FIFA during the Club World Cup event and is set to be first implemented during the 2018 Russian World Cup.
The expansion plans so far has both its pros and cons. For The New Zealand Football federation, it would be a huge boon.
The Oceania Football Confederation features some of the best players in the world but rarely makes a World Cup showing due to various rules and regulation as well as the 32 team limit employed in the current World Cup model.
| # | Site | Bonus | Bet | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Ladbrokes |  | 5/5 | 100% Match up to $250 | Bet now Review |
| 2 |  | Betway | | 4.9/5 | Up to $60 NZD | Bet now Review |
| 3 |  | Palmerbet | | 4.8/5 | 100% Match | Bet now Review |
| 4 |  | Picklebet | | 4.6/5 | Login to see promotions | Bet now Review |
More About Lauren Ball
An avid writer and sports betting enthusiast, Lauren Ball has found the ideal way to combine the two. As a regular contributor and resident OnlineBettingNZ.co.nz expert, Lauren is now putting her considerable wisdom to good use, and keeps punters informed as to what’s hot and happening in the online betting and sporting world.
From the latest sports results to any upsets or developments in the betting world, Lauren makes it her business to know what’s going on in the industry and share it with those who have the same interests.
You May Also Like:
Sala Under Huge Pressure Before Plane Crash
An inquest jury has reportedly now been informed of how pro-footballer Emiliano Sala had been put under immense pressure to complete a big-money transfer to the Premier League during the ….
Marc Overmars Quits Dutch Club Ajax
Ajax director of football Marc Overmars has quit after nearly 10 years. The former Arsenal, Ajax, and Barcelona winger has been accused by his club of having sent inappropriate text ….
New Study Shows Male Sexism In Football
An insightful new study claims more than 70% of male football fans have misogynistic attitudes and hostile feelings toward female players and athletes. The study was conducted by researchers at ….
Football’s Pelé Discharged From Hospital
It has now been confirmed that living football legend Pelé has been discharged from a month-long stay in hospital where he’s been receiving treatment following the removal of a tumour ….
New Annual Women’s Footy Tourney For England
England on Thursday announced an all-new annual women’s international football tournament set to run for at least the next three years. The four-team tournament will be handled on an invitational ….