UEFA to demand extra slots at expanded '26 World Cup

London: UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin will insist on European teams being given 16 slots when FIFA expands the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026. Speaking at UEFA's Nyon headquarters after a meeting of the confederation's executive committee (ExCo), Ceferin said this was a "realistic" request and the teams should be evenly distributed between the 16 three-team groups. UEFA gets a minimum of 13 slots in the current 32-team World Cup format but is resigned to the fact most of the new places are heading to the relatively under-represented African and Asian confederations.

Some within European football have said three extra places should be a minimum requirement but UEFA's leadership has a clearer view of the global landscape and knows three extra places is the best deal it will get from FIFA.