During the F1 Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal would be in favor of a 64-team format for the 2034 World Cup.

During the F1 Grand Prix in Jeddah, Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal would be in favor of a 64-team format for the 2034 World Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia. South America is in favor, while Europe and North America are against it.

Mondiali, l’Arabia Saudita, which will host the 2034 edition, wants a 64-team format, but Europe and North America are opposed.

The F1 Grand Prix in Jeddah not only focused on motorsports but also on football. In fact, at the Saudi Arabian circuit was the presence of Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, who spoke about the 2034 edition that will be hosted by Saudi Arabia. The Saudi prince would like the edition to be played with a 64-team format, already proposed by Uruguay for the centenary edition of 2030.

In fact, the Arab country has South American countries as allies for the expansion of the competition, but Europe and North America are against it. In this regard, there were statements from UEFA President Ceferin and CONCACAF President Montagliani.

The head of European football, so opposed to the Saudi project: “It surprised me, more than it did with you. I don’t think it’s a good idea, for the World Cup itself and for our qualifications. We didn’t support this proposal at the FIFA Council, I don’t know where it came from and it’s strange that we didn’t know anything about it.”

Instead, the head of North American football, which will host next year’s edition, expressed himself in this way: “I don’t think expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams is the right choice, neither for the tournament itself nor for the entire football ecosystem, from national teams to clubs, leagues, and players. We haven’t even started the new 48-team World Cup, so personally I think it’s premature to talk about an expansion to 64 teams.”

We will see if the Saudi proposal will be well received in FIFA circles.

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