FIFA says it is in "regular contact" with the organising committee of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, though it would not comment directly on the diplomatic situation involving the Gulf State.
Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said Asia was counting on a fair distribution of 2026 World Cup slots, demanding a rise from its four guaranteed places to reflect its economic power and the popularity of football there. "The Asian continent, given that it's the biggest continent in the world, deserves a significant increase in its current World Cup slots, given it's big economic power, and the immense popularity of the sport in Asia, and also the increasing development in the different aspects of the game," he said in an email interview.
