
Football
Share
Published 21:05 8 Jan 2017 GMT
Updated 22:07 8 Jan 2017 GMT
Explore more on these topics:
The top two sides from each group will advance to the round-of-32 knockout stage.
The Telegraph reports that one of the major concerns which has been voiced from various bodies is that there will be an increase in the number of 'dead rubber' matches.
However, Infantino's plan to stop this would be to introduce penalty shootouts for group matches which end in a draw - so there has to be a winner.
FA chief executive officer, Martin Glenn, said his association is powerless to stop the changes.
"I can’t influence FIFA. My number one focus is how do we make England equipped to qualify and ultimately win tournaments, that’s all I care about. I can’t influence Fifa; we’re one voice out of 211 [national associations]," Glenn told The Guardian.Glenn further raised the point which many share that an increase in the number of teams will dilute the quality of the tournament.
"Our preference would be to keep the tournament smaller, because there’s a quality factor here, but we’ll try to influence the shape of it. Everyone has a vote and the smaller countries understandably want to be part of the competition."Irish football fans could be forgiven for thinking that an increase in the number of teams will lead to an increase in the likelihood of Ireland qualifying for the world's biggest tournament. However, it is expected that the majority of the additional spots will be allocated to nations from Africa, Asia, North and Central America and Oceania.
Live sport on TV in Ireland this weekend – Football, GAA, Rugby – April 24th to 26th
Some huge clashes! The ultimate TV guide for live weekend sport in Ireland is back! It’s another huge week in the Premier League with Arsenal hosting Newcastle, there are a host of massive inter-county championship matches in both hurling and Gaelic football, and there is an intriguing Irish derby in the URC to look forward […]
Football
7h
Shane Long details why he missed celebration of one Ireland’s best ever moments
Well that’s a pity. Shane Long’s name will forever be etched in Irish footballing history. His goal in Ireland’s 1-0 win over Germany in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign was one of the best finishes ever seen at the Aviva Stadium, and was the catalyst for wild celebrations both during after the game. However, the […]
Football
8h
The weekend’s action: Follow all of the football as City host Arsenal
Football