Gianni Infantino 'can't be trusted' as FIFA propose new change to World Cup qualifying

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is coming under pressure yet again after proposing a further expansion to the World Cup.

The tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico played host to 48 teams, a significant increase on the 32 previously allowed to participate, opening the door to new qualifyers.

Now, Infantino has proposed expanding the tournament further to accomodate 64 countries, as he claimed football should not just be for Europe and South America.

However, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown warned Football Insider that further expansion would dilute the quality at the World Cup and ruin the qualification process.

While inviting new countries onto the world stage is largely a positive step, the tournament should still be reserved for participants who have earned the right to be there through quality displays.

Meanwhile, the decision has been criticised amid suggestions it serves Infantino's interest with FIFA member nations set to vote on whether he will continue as president.

Why is Gianni Infantino facing criticism at FIFA?

Despite what has, on the surface at least, appeared to be a very successful World Cup in North America, FIFA and Infantino have faced growing criticisms from outside.

Former Tottenham scout Bryan King told Football Insider that Infantino should resign as president of FIFA amid calls for his head in the wake of ongoing contorversies.

While his latest call doesn't fall into the bracket of some of the other criticisms in recent weeks, another controversial decision at FIFA will do little to mend his reputation.

"I don't necessarily think more countries participating at the World Cup would be a bad thing," Brown told Football Insider.

"The new format at this World Cup has made for some interesting games and real positive stories, when you look at a country like Cape Verde and everything they did.

"So of course the idea of introducing new countries would be positive for those involved, but you have to look at the bigger picture.

"Ultimately, the World Cup is supposed to be for the best of the best, the elite players facing off, and that's what we have now in the latter stages of the tournament.

"You have to be at your absolute best to qualify, and then when you get there, you have to be even better to compete.

"Opening it up for as many as 64 countries to participate completely gets rid of the qualification progress and massively dilutes the quality on show at the tournament itself.

"It might make for some nice stories for different countries who might not otherwise be able to compete, but in normal circumstances, it just means that they're not good enough.

"Being cynical about it, because they've given everybody good reason to be, you have to have doubts about the real reason Infantino and FIFA are so keen to open it up.

"These smaller nations still play a part in decisions at FIFA, and fall under their jurisdiction, so they do stand to benefit from their involvement.

"You have to be critical of Infantino, because he has shown at the World Cup that there's this underlying mistrust that goes along with every decision he makes at the moment."

Infantino and Donald Trump spark new FIFA corruption allegations

Initial concerns at the World Cup began before it had even started, as journalists, photographers, and even referees and players were denied entry to the host countries.

However, the biggest incident came ahead of the USA's round of 16 clash against Belgium, as striker Folarin Balogun had his red card overturned following a call from Donald Trump.

Brown told Football Insider that FIFA would face fresh allegations of corruption and political interference, with the US president admitting he had been involved in the decision.

While the governing body maintain that there was no wrongdoing and the call was made by an independent panel, question marks over the decision have lingered.

Infantino has now lost the trust and support of many, but has no plans to resign, and opening the door to new countries' involvement will only be a positive for him.