Gianni Infantino: 'Most football federations support 48-team World Cup'

New FIFA president Gianni Infantino prior to the Premier League match between Swansea City and Norwich City at Liberty Stadium on March 5, 2016
© Getty Images
The "big majority" of global football federations are in favour of plans for a 48-team World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino claims.

Global football federations are in favour of plans for a 48-team World Cup, according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

The head of football's governing body outlined his vision for an expanded tournament comprising 16 groups of three teams, with the top two teams in each group progressing to the knockout rounds, earlier this month.

"The big, big, big majority is in favour of the 48 teams with the 16 groups of three," Infantino is quoted by The Sun as telling a meeting of some FIFA members in Singapore.

A decision will be made by FIFA in January but any change to the World Cup's current 32-team format is unlikely to come in before 2026.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on the touchline during the Premier League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford on November 19, 2016
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Chelsea19161242132949
2Liverpool20135248232544
3Manchester CityMan City20133441221942
4Arsenal19124341192240
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs19116237142339
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd20116331191239
7Everton208662823530
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom208572824429
9Bournemouth197392631-524
10Southampton206681925-624
11Burnley2072112231-923
12Watford196492334-1122
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham2064102335-1222
14Leicester CityLeicester205692431-721
15Stoke CityStoke195682232-1021
16Middlesbrough204791722-519
17Crystal Palace1944112935-616
18Sunderland2043131937-1815
19Hull City2034131744-2713
20Swansea CitySwansea1933132144-2312