FIFA announce changes for 48-team World Cup

The Bureau of the FIFA, comprising president Gianni Infantino and chairmen of each confederation, came together in Zurich to settle on the slot allocation for the 2026 World Cup.

Six direct slots will be awarded to CONCACAF, another six to CONMEBOL, eight to the AFC, nine to CAF and 16 to UEFA, while the OFC will receive one direct slot. The hosting country will be awarded a slot, leaving the remaining two to be decided by a play-off.

The FIFA bureau seem to have finally acknowledged UEFA's long-lasting campaign for 16 direct places in the 48-country competition.

This will be the innovative structure which will be ratified on the 9th of May. Farewell to the 32-team World Cup. Hello 48-team scheme. It is, after all, an ever-changing sport.

Bureau of the Council recommends slot allocation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: https://t.co/TtuQ7ZsyNW

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) 30 de marzo de 2017