Thai hopes for World Cup berth rise with Fifa's expanded format
Thailand yesterday joined the growing list of countries hailing Fifa's decision to expand the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams, saying the move would bolster the War Elephants' chances of reaching their first ever Finals.
Thailand yesterday joined the growing list of countries hailing Fifa's decision to expand the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams, saying the move would bolster the War Elephants' chances of reaching their first ever Finals.
Please join us on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/bangkokpostlearning
Thais hail expanded World Cup
Bangkok Post
AFP
Thailand yesterday joined the growing list of countries hailing Fifa's decision to expand the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams, saying the move would bolster the War Elephants' chances of reaching their first ever Finals.
Football Association of Thailand (FAT) president Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang has welcomed the decision and is hoping that Asia will benefit the most from it.
Somyot said: "From what I have read, the Fifa Council has already unanimously agreed to increase the number of teams at the 2026 World Cup Finals to 48 teams from the current 32."
"This increase will be good for the Thai national team as it will give us a better chance of qualifying for the World Cup finals," added Somyot.
"We have already made it to the 12-team final Asian stage of the World Cup qualifiers [for Russia 2018] so we are close. We need to prepare better in the future."
Chinese state media said the move could help realise the country's "dream" of returning to the World Cup, while New Zealand, which looks set to be a key beneficiary, called the move "fantastic news".
China, who are 82nd in the Fifa rankings, have set their sights on becoming a global football power. The official Xinhua news agency said Fifa's move represented a big opportunity.
New Zealand look certain to qualify if Oceania, by far the weakest of the six Fifa confederations, get a guaranteed World Cup spot.
American Samoa's football body jokingly tweeted: "Congratulations @NZ_Football who have qualified for the 2026 World Cup!"
สามารถฝึกอ่านออกเสียงและดูคำแปลได้ที่ : http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/1178776/thais-hail-expanded-world-cup
