FIFA considers shootouts for draws in World Cup group stage – report

FIFA President Gianni Infantino admits that he likes the idea of expanding the World Cup finals to include 48 countries.

FIFA executives are considering using penalty shootouts to decide any group game that ends in a draw in the proposals for a 48-team World Cup, according to a report in The Times.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said a proposal to expand the World Cup from 32 to 48 nations, with 16 groups of three teams, received enthusiastic backing at a meeting of national federations on Thursday.

However, officials are reported to be concerned that three-team groups will increase the prospect of teams contriving to play out a…