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Wenger Defends 48-Team World Cup, Names France as Favorite

12/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Arsene Wenger, FIFA chief, defended expanding the World Cup to 48 teams, saying one in four FIFA-affiliated countries will have a chance without diluting quality.
Wenger cited the successful Under-17 World Cup with 48 teams as evidence.
He addressed pitch quality and heat management for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Wenger named England and France as contenders, calling France a "super favorite" for its depth of strikers.

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Story summary

Arsene Wenger, FIFA chief, defended expanding the World Cup to 48 teams, saying one in four FIFA-affiliated countries will have a chance without diluting quality.
Wenger cited the successful Under-17 World Cup with 48 teams as evidence.
He addressed pitch quality and heat management for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Wenger named England and France as contenders, calling France a "super favorite" for its depth of strikers.