The 2022 world cup is unlikely to be increased to 48 teams .

That’s the word today from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who explained that if the world cup was to enlarged to more than the current 32 team format , the possibility of co-hosting would have to be examined.

Infantino told reporters today that it was premature to talk of a 48-team tournament in Qatar, which he stressed would have to be consulted first, and said he had no idea whether Iran could be a co-host.

In April the South American football confederation (Conmebol) proposed that the changes to 48 teams be introduced in 2022.

Infantino said the proposal would be put to the FIFA congress in Moscow on June 10 and a decision would be needed within one year.

Qatar, which plans to use eight stadiums for the tournament, has been in the middle of a diplomatic standoff after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt severed travel and trade ties with Qatar last June.