Blatter wants to keep the World Cup with only 32 teams.
FIFA President Joseph Blatter opposes proposals to expand the number of teams in the World Cup and would prefer to keep the number of participants at 32 if re-elected. He has also suggested that more intercontinental matches be held to resolve the debate over how many places should be allocated to each region, and that a continent hosting the World Cup should wait at least 12 years before hosting it again. Blatter is seeking re-election for a fifth term as FIFA president in the May 29th vote.
Reuters - FIFA President Joseph Blatter opposes proposals to expand the number of teams in the World Cup and would like to keep the number of participants at 32 if he is re-elected, the official said on Friday.
Blatter also suggested that more intercontinental matches be held to resolve the debate over how many places should be allocated to each region, and that a continent that hosts the World Cup should wait at least 12 years before hosting it again.
The Swiss national is seeking a fifth term as FIFA president in the May 29th election, and two of his three rivals, former Portuguese winger Luis Figo and the president of the Dutch Football Association, Michael van Praag, want to expand the World Cup to 48 and 40 teams, respectively.
"First, we realized that 32 teams is the best mathematical system, because you can play the tournament in 28 to 30 days," said Blatter, the favorite in the race for the presidency of the organization.
"Furthermore, the contracts we have for the upcoming World Cups are all for 32 teams," he added.
FIFA will hold an executive committee meeting the day after the presidential election to decide how seats will be allocated for the World Cup.