“`html
The hypothesis of an even bigger World Cup
After the opening match of the World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino spoke to CazéTV about the future of the tournament, mentioning the possibility of further expanding the number of participants from 48 to 64 teams, although the change has already been the subject of internal discussion.
Infantino said it was necessary to analyze the performance of the current format before deciding on further expansion.
«First of all, we have to see how this World Cup with 48 teams will develop. It’s already a huge event. We discussed a World Cup with 64 teams, with greater global participation. It has already been discussed within the FIFA council, but let’s make the most of this edition with 48 teams,” he said.
Then he threw a dig at Italy, making fun of the absence of the Italian national team: «Maybe Italy will qualify with 64 teams. Who knows, maybe with 208.»`
The FIGC’s response
An unhappy exit: this is the reflection that is gathered in the FIGC, after Gianni Infantino’s words on Italy, with the irony on the need for a World Cup with “64 teams or perhaps 228” for the Azzurri to qualify.
«It was an unfortunate exit, a lapse in style that hurt the feelings of the entire Italian sporting community», is the consideration in circles of the football federation, where the resigning president Gravina remains in office only for acts that cannot be postponed. In victory and defeat – the federal sources conclude – football teaches values ”starting with respect”.