Platini wants World Cup expanded to 40 teams
LONDON, England (AP) — UEFA President Michel Platini wants the World Cup expanded from 32 to 40 teams.
The Frenchman was responding to FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s call for Asian and African teams to be better represented at the World Cup.
Blatter has previously suggested that spots at the finals should be taken off European and South American nations rather than expanding the tournament.
Platini tells yesterday’s editions of The Times of London: “I totally agree with Mr Blatter that we need more African and Asian (countries). But instead of taking away some European, we have to go to 40 teams.”
Platini says the change would only require three more days of matches.
Platini is a FIFA vice-president and tipped as a potential challenger for the presidency when Blatter’s fourth term ends in 2015.
