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FIFA approves 48-team World Cup slots; play-off in host nation

Xinhua, May 10, 2017 Adjust font size:

Asia will have eight slots at the 48-team World Cup from 2026 onwards, and the five other confederations of the FIFA will also see increases, the

FIFA council decided on Tuesday.

FIFA said the council approved a proposal from a few weeks ago after an earlier decision to raise the number of participating teams from 32 to 48.

FIFA also confirmed that the final two berths will be determined in a six-team intercontinental mini tournament in late 2025 in the World Cup host nation.

Europe lead the way with 16 slots, while Africa had the biggest gain, from five to nine slots. North, central America and the Caribbean will have six just as South America, and Oceania one.

Slot allocation:

Confederation Slots until 2022 Slots from 2026

Africa 5 9

Asia 4.5 8

Europe 13 16

North- central America 3.5 6

Ozeania 0.5 1

South America 4.5 6

Host 1 directly entered, with slot taken from respective

confederation

play-off tournament - 2

Endit