Africa eyes 10 slots at expanded World Cup

The heads of Africa’s football associations are seeking to double the number of the continent’s teams from five to ten in the 48-team World Cup.

The request was made to the FIFA president Gianni Infantino who was in Africa for a two-day meeting.

There have been speculations that under the 48-team World Cup format FIFA intends to introduce, Africa’s five slots will increase to nine.

The move targets the 2026 proposed plan by Gianni Infantino to have 48 nations participate in the world’s most watched competition.

Africa has had five slots since the 1998 World Cup in France but no team from the continent has succeeded in winning the four-year tournament.

No African country has also gone further than the quarter-finals and the 2014 World Cup was the first in which two teams from the continent reached the knockout stage.

Europe is also seeking at least 16 slots, up from 13, Asia wants between 8 and 9 from 4.5 and South America will go up to six, up from 4.5.

The final allocation of places will be passed by the Fifa Council.