Doha: The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) said that Qatar and the FIFA will continue working together to discuss a potential expansion of the World Cup in 2022 to 48 teams, while determining whether or not a viable operating model does exist and whether it is in the best interest for the football and for the tournament and for Qatar as the host nation.

In a statement today, the SC added any decision on this matter will be in consultation between FIFA and Qatar and with its consent.

At a press conference earlier today, FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the decision to raise the number of teams participating in the 2022 World Cup finals as not easy, adding this smatter should be studied carefully and in cooperation with Qatar.

“Until we reach that conclusion, we will continue to work toward hosting a 32-team World Cup in 2022 hosted in the State of Qatar,” the statement said.

“Our openness was based on our commitment to hosting a FIFA World Cup that benefits our region and its people in the best way possible. It has always our mission to ensure that this World Cup belongs to the entire Arab World and the Middle East.

It added that it has been open to the process of discussing a potential expansion of the World Cup in 2022 to 48 teams since discussion started in Moscow in 2018. The State of Qatar dealt with the proposal positively and expressed willingness to hear the views of various parties involved. Qatar continued this trend during the discussions of the council of the FIFA in Kigali in October 2018 until the current meeting of the council in Miami. This constitutes a confirmation and continuation of Qatar’s constant commitment to host a tournament that belongs to all the people of the region and benefit Qatar and the entire region.