Gareth Southgate fears expanded 48-team World Cup would make qualifying 'less interesting' for fans

Gareth Southgate has warned Fifa that expanding the World Cup to 48 teams would risk sapping the excitement and interest out of regular season international fixtures.

The England manager fears that qualification for the tournament would become “too straightforward” if the sport’s governing body follows through on plans to dramatically increase the size of the tournament.

Gianni Infantino, the Fifa president, is backing proposals to expand the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams in time for the Qatar World Cup in 2022. A final decision is set to be taken in March on whether to bring forward the new format, which has already been agreed for the 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

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Southgate has now come out against the expansion plans, saying the sense of “jeopardy” that adds excitement to qualifying fixtures could be lost if it becomes easier to reach the World Cup finals. England face Croatia in the Nations League next Sunday and Southgate hailed the “tension” of these types of competitive, meaningful international fixtures.

“I personally would not be a fan of that,” Southgate said when asked about the plans for a 48-team World Cup. “I think some of the important things around tournaments and qualifying tournaments is the jeopardy around it.

“One of the things about the Nations League is that we are looking at a game where we could be going to a semi-final or we could be out of the league. That sort of jeopardy adds tension to the games and adds excitement for the fans. We have always got to have a mind of that feeling for the supporters about the importance of each match.

“I understand that the opportunity to play major tournaments for some countries that don’t get there so often is a big one, and that was huge for the feel around the Euros in France [in 2016] for example - there were some brilliant atmospheres because of that - but we have got to be careful not to make too tournaments too big and then make qualifying for the tournaments too straightforward because I think the games become less interesting if there isn’t any jeopardy involved.”

Meanwhile, Southgate has said West Ham United’s Declan Rice has been “deliberately left alone” as he gives the 19-year-old more time to decide on his international future. Rice has played three friendlies for the Republic of Ireland but is undecided on whether to declare his allegiances for England.

Rice, who has made 11 appearances for West Ham this season, said this week that the choice between England and Ireland will be one of the most difficult decisions of his career.

“I have spoken with him, but only to express that we have deliberately left him alone because it is important that he is given time to make a decision and it’s important that he is allowed the space to do that,” Southgate said.

“It is a huge decision for him to take. He is playing very well for his club. I think people can see the potential and quality that he has got. I don’t think it is right for me to put any time scale or pressure on that decision, whichever way he decides to go. Whatever he does we will completely respect that and wish him well if it is not with us and look forward to working with him if it is with us.”