Uefa to hold emergency meeting over Fifa World Cup plans

Uefa's decision to hold an emergency meeting with its 55 member associations underscores the growing unease within European football over Fifa's plans for the World Cup. While details of Fifa's proposals remain scarce, the urgency of the meeting suggests that Uefa is preparing to take a strong stance against any changes that could potentially undermine the European football calendar or its own competitions.

The timing of the meeting is also significant, as it comes amid reports that Fifa is considering expanding the World Cup to 48 teams, a move that could have far-reaching implications for European clubs and national teams. Uefa has previously expressed concerns about the potential impact of such a change on its own tournaments, including the Champions League and European Championship.

As the meeting approaches, all eyes will be on Uefa's response to Fifa's plans and the potential consequences for European football. Key questions to watch include whether Uefa will formally oppose Fifa's proposals, and what steps it may take to protect its own interests and competitions. The outcome of the meeting could have significant implications for the future of international football, and EuroNewsletter will be monitoring developments closely.

Originally reported by bbc.co.uk. EuroNewsletter adds analysis for general news readers.