Top European leagues are set to oppose FIFA plans for adding more teams and playing days at the 2022 World Cup.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to study a 48-team tournament plan that would add 16 teams, 16 extra games and at least four days to the scheduled 28-day event kicking off in November 2022 in Qatar.
That schedule would likely take another round of weekend fixtures from the English Premier League, Spain’s La Liga and others that already must shut down in mid-season.
“We are not prepared to make any changes on the calendar for expanding the 2022 World Cup.” Lars-Christer Olsson, CEO of the 32-member European Leagues group, said on Monday.
“We have already been flexible to allow the World Cup to be played in the (Qatari) winter and have agreed the dates,” Olsson said, adding “we are not prepared for the duration of the World Cup to be any longer.”
Source: fourfourtwo
