Super Eagles icon says FIFA’s 48-team expansion will be “Heaven-Sent” opportunity for Africa

Former Tremendous Eagles participant, Oliseh has revealed that the brand new 48-team construction confirmed by the FIFA president will probably be an important alternative for African nations.

The previous Tremendous Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh has revealed that the FIFA growth from 32 groups to 48 groups represents super potential for African nations.

Based on stories, everybody’s consideration is at the moment centered on the 2026 World Cup, which is able to, this time, be hosted by three nations: Mexico, america, and Canada.

Whereas the 2002 FIFA World Cup was hosted by two Asian nations, Japan and Korea, with the opening match going down in South Korea and the ultimate match going down in Japan, this may mark the primary time three nations will host the occasion.

By increasing the variety of collaborating nations, the 2026 FIFA world cup, which is predicted to be one of many greatest, will bid farewell to the 32-team construction that has been in use since 1998.

Brecorder stories that since taking workplace as FIFA president in 2016, Gianni Infantino has made growing the variety of groups that may compete on the World Cup a high focus.

Following the thrilling World Cup championship recreation through which Lionel Messi led Argentina to its first triumph since 1986, Infantino made the next remarks to skysports:

“We now have accepted a 48-team World Cup format with 16 teams of three, of which the highest two would then transfer to a knockout section of 32, adopted by 16, eight, 4 after which two.”

From 13 groups on the inaugural match in 1930, the finals remained a 16-team occasion from 1934 to 1978, earlier than growing to 24 in 1982.

Nevertheless, the most important beneficiaries of the growth to 48 groups will probably be Africa and Asia.

Africa will achieve 9 qualifying spots for the finals (up from 5 beforehand), whereas Asia will virtually double to eight underneath the brand new construction (from 4.5 slots).

Based on Brecorder, former Nigerian midfielder, Oliseh, acknowledged that Africans have been given a incredible alternative.

Former Nigerian worldwide Sunday Oliseh remarked, “For us Africans, it’s heaven despatched,”

“I’ve at all times thought (Africa) ought to ship extra representatives – the extra time you play, the extra your likelihood is.

“It’s a continent of over a billion folks. My nation is 200 million folks.

“For us, it’s fascinating to see a much bigger, bigger World Cup.”

The fourth-place African crew, Nigeria, would, nonetheless, be given a much bigger likelihood to compete within the 2026 World Cup.