The 2022 World Cup will revert back to a 32-team format after Fifa scrapped a proposal to expand the tournament to 48 teams.

Fifa had been exploring if logistical and political complexities could be overcome to expand the tournament from 32 to 48 teams, which would have required at least one more country being used in the Persian Gulf to accommodate an additional 16 matches in the region.

The Times and Associated Press had earlier reported that Fifa had decided such an expansion would be unfeasible, and world football's governing body confirmed as such on Wednesday evening.

A Fifa statement read: "In line with the conclusions of the feasibility study approved by the Fifa Council at its last meeting, Fifa and Qatar have jointly explored all possibilities to increase the number of participant teams from 32 to 48 teams by involving neighbouring countries at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

"Following a thorough and comprehensive consultation process with the involvement of all the relevant stakeholders, it was concluded that under the current circumstances such a proposal could not be made now.

In Pictures | Qatar 2022 World Cup venues 9 show all In Pictures | Qatar 2022 World Cup venues 1/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 2/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 3/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 4/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 5/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 6/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 7/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 8/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 9/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 1/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 2/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 3/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 4/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 5/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 6/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 7/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 8/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images 9/9 In this undated computer-generated artists impression provided by 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, a Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to be built in Doha, Qatar. 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy via Getty Images

"Additionally, Fifa and Qatar have once again explored the feasibility of Qatar hosting a 48-team tournament by in particular lowering certain key Fifa requirements.

"A joint analysis, in this respect, concluded that due to the advanced stage of preparations and the need for a detailed assessment of the potential logistical impact on the host country, more time would be required and a decision could not be taken before the deadline of June. It was therefore decided not to further pursue this option.

In Pictures | France vs Croatia World Cup Final | 15/07/2018 101 show all In Pictures | France vs Croatia World Cup Final | 15/07/2018 1/101 REUTERS 2/101 REUTERS 3/101 REUTERS 4/101 AP 5/101 REUTERS 6/101 PA 7/101 REUTERS 8/101 REUTERS 9/101 REUTERS 10/101 AP 11/101 REUTERS 12/101 REUTERS 13/101 REUTERS 14/101 Alexei Nikolsky/AP 15/101 REUTERS 16/101 REUTERS 17/101 REUTERS 18/101 AFP/Getty Images 19/101 AP 20/101 REUTERS 21/101 REUTERS 22/101 REUTERS 23/101 REUTERS 24/101 REUTERS 25/101 REUTERS 26/101 AP 27/101 REUTERS 28/101 REUTERS 29/101 EPA 30/101 REUTERS 31/101 REUTERS 32/101 REUTERS 33/101 REUTERS 34/101 AP 35/101 REUTERS 36/101 EPA 37/101 AFP/Getty Images 38/101 REUTERS 39/101 REUTERS 40/101 REUTERS 41/101 AP 42/101 REUTERS 43/101 REUTERS 44/101 REUTERS 45/101 REUTERS 46/101 AP 47/101 REUTERS 48/101 AP 49/101 REUTERS 50/101 REUTERS 51/101 AFP/Getty Images 52/101 REUTERS 53/101 REUTERS 54/101 AFP/Getty Images 55/101 AP 56/101 REUTERS 57/101 REUTERS 58/101 AP 59/101 REUTERS 60/101 PA 61/101 EPA 62/101 EPA 63/101 EPA 64/101 EPA 65/101 AP 66/101 AP 67/101 REUTERS 68/101 AP 69/101 REUTERS 70/101 REUTERS 71/101 AFP/Getty Images 72/101 AFP/Getty Images 73/101 REUTERS 74/101 REUTERS 75/101 REUTERS 76/101 Will Kylian Mbappe make this a day to remember for France AFP/Getty Images 77/101 Football friends AFP/Getty Images 78/101 Olivier Giroud and France warm up AFP/Getty Images 79/101 Argentinian referee Nestor Pitana (C) and his assistants warm up AFP/Getty Images 80/101 The closing ceremony! AFP/Getty Images 81/101 Nicky Jam performs during the closing ceremony REUTERS 82/101 France fans in full voice AFP/Getty Images 83/101 A huge day for France AFP/Getty Images 84/101 Dejan Lovren deep in conversation AFP/Getty Images 85/101 Half and half scarves are probably allowed today AFP/Getty Images 86/101 Somebody's got World Cup fever REUTERS 87/101 The Gallic rooster - an unofficial national symbol of France REUTERS 88/101 The romance of the World Cup AFP/Getty Images 89/101 Things could get hairy today REUTERS 90/101 Somebody's backing France AFP/Getty Images 91/101 Croatia fans gather in the center of Moscow EPA 92/101 France fans pose near a statue of Soviet Union founder Vladimir Lenin AFP/Getty Images 93/101 Getting ready for the final AFP/Getty Images 94/101 Probably a French fan... AFP/Getty Images 95/101 France supporters outside the stadium AFP/Getty Images 96/101 France supporters outside the stadium AFP/Getty Images 97/101 Croatia's coach Zlatko Dalic in the stadium AFP/Getty Images 98/101 High hopes for Croatia AFP/Getty Images 99/101 Croatia supporters make their way to the stadium EPA 100/101 France supporters make their way to the stadium EPA 101/101 France supporters make their way to the stadium EPA 1/101 REUTERS 2/101 REUTERS 3/101 REUTERS 4/101 AP 5/101 REUTERS 6/101 PA 7/101 REUTERS 8/101 REUTERS 9/101 REUTERS 10/101 AP 11/101 REUTERS 12/101 REUTERS 13/101 REUTERS 14/101 Alexei Nikolsky/AP 15/101 REUTERS 16/101 REUTERS 17/101 REUTERS 18/101 AFP/Getty Images 19/101 AP 20/101 REUTERS 21/101 REUTERS 22/101 REUTERS 23/101 REUTERS 24/101 REUTERS 25/101 REUTERS 26/101 AP 27/101 REUTERS 28/101 REUTERS 29/101 EPA 30/101 REUTERS 31/101 REUTERS 32/101 REUTERS 33/101 REUTERS 34/101 AP 35/101 REUTERS 36/101 EPA 37/101 AFP/Getty Images 38/101 REUTERS 39/101 REUTERS 40/101 REUTERS 41/101 AP 42/101 REUTERS 43/101 REUTERS 44/101 REUTERS 45/101 REUTERS 46/101 AP 47/101 REUTERS 48/101 AP 49/101 REUTERS 50/101 REUTERS 51/101 AFP/Getty Images 52/101 REUTERS 53/101 REUTERS 54/101 AFP/Getty Images 55/101 AP 56/101 REUTERS 57/101 REUTERS 58/101 AP 59/101 REUTERS 60/101 PA 61/101 EPA 62/101 EPA 63/101 EPA 64/101 EPA 65/101 AP 66/101 AP 67/101 REUTERS 68/101 AP 69/101 REUTERS 70/101 REUTERS 71/101 AFP/Getty Images 72/101 AFP/Getty Images 73/101 REUTERS 74/101 REUTERS 75/101 REUTERS 76/101 Will Kylian Mbappe make this a day to remember for France AFP/Getty Images 77/101 Football friends AFP/Getty Images 78/101 Olivier Giroud and France warm up AFP/Getty Images 79/101 Argentinian referee Nestor Pitana (C) and his assistants warm up AFP/Getty Images 80/101 The closing ceremony! AFP/Getty Images 81/101 Nicky Jam performs during the closing ceremony REUTERS 82/101 France fans in full voice AFP/Getty Images 83/101 A huge day for France AFP/Getty Images 84/101 Dejan Lovren deep in conversation AFP/Getty Images 85/101 Half and half scarves are probably allowed today AFP/Getty Images 86/101 Somebody's got World Cup fever REUTERS 87/101 The Gallic rooster - an unofficial national symbol of France REUTERS 88/101 The romance of the World Cup AFP/Getty Images 89/101 Things could get hairy today REUTERS 90/101 Somebody's backing France AFP/Getty Images 91/101 Croatia fans gather in the center of Moscow EPA 92/101 France fans pose near a statue of Soviet Union founder Vladimir Lenin AFP/Getty Images 93/101 Getting ready for the final AFP/Getty Images 94/101 Probably a French fan... AFP/Getty Images 95/101 France supporters outside the stadium AFP/Getty Images 96/101 France supporters outside the stadium AFP/Getty Images 97/101 Croatia's coach Zlatko Dalic in the stadium AFP/Getty Images 98/101 High hopes for Croatia AFP/Getty Images 99/101 Croatia supporters make their way to the stadium EPA 100/101 France supporters make their way to the stadium EPA 101/101 France supporters make their way to the stadium EPA

"The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will therefore remain as originally planned with 32 teams and no proposal will be submitted at the next FIFA Congress on 5 June."

The World Cup is due to become a 48-team tournament in 2026 when it is hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

French fans celebrate winning the 2018 World Cup Final - In pictures 17 show all French fans celebrate winning the 2018 World Cup Final - In pictures 1/17 French supporters celebrate at the Arc de Triomphe on top of the Champs-Elysees EPA 2/17 French supporters celebrate on the Champs Elysees EPA 3/17 A French supporter waves a French flag over the Champs Elysees EPA 4/17 The Eiffel Tower illuminated with blue, white, red is reflected on the surface of the Seine in Paris, after their victory in Fifa World Cup 2018 final EPA 5/17 A portrait of French forward Kylian Mbappe projected on Paris' landmark Arc de Triomphe as people gather to celebrate France's victory in the Russia 2018 World Cup final Gerard/AFP/Getty Images 6/17 French supporters celebrate on the Champs Elysees EPA 7/17 Delighted French tourists celebrate World Cup win in Times Square, NYC SplashNews.com 8/17 Francefans from Russia celebrate after the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in Moscow, Russia AP 9/17 The Eiffel Tower illuminated with blue, white, red is reflected on the surface of the Seine in Paris, after their victory in Fifa World Cup 2018 final EPA 10/17 French supporters celebrate on the Champs Elysee EPA 11/17 French supporters celebrate on the Place de la Republique EPA 12/17 Supporters celebrate on the Champs Elysees after France's 4-2 win EPA 13/17 Thousands of fand celebrating after France won the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match against Croatia on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. AFP/Getty Images 14/17 Frenc fans lighting flares as they celebrate after France won the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match against Croatia on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. AFP/Getty Images 15/17 France fans celebrate on the Champs Elysees avenue REUTERS 16/17 A giant picture of France's Antoine Griezmann is seen on the Arc de Triomphe as France fans celebrate on the Champs Elysees REUTERS 17/17 France fans from Russia celebrate after the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in Moscow AP 1/17 French supporters celebrate at the Arc de Triomphe on top of the Champs-Elysees EPA 2/17 French supporters celebrate on the Champs Elysees EPA 3/17 A French supporter waves a French flag over the Champs Elysees EPA 4/17 The Eiffel Tower illuminated with blue, white, red is reflected on the surface of the Seine in Paris, after their victory in Fifa World Cup 2018 final EPA 5/17 A portrait of French forward Kylian Mbappe projected on Paris' landmark Arc de Triomphe as people gather to celebrate France's victory in the Russia 2018 World Cup final Gerard/AFP/Getty Images 6/17 French supporters celebrate on the Champs Elysees EPA 7/17 Delighted French tourists celebrate World Cup win in Times Square, NYC SplashNews.com 8/17 Francefans from Russia celebrate after the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in Moscow, Russia AP 9/17 The Eiffel Tower illuminated with blue, white, red is reflected on the surface of the Seine in Paris, after their victory in Fifa World Cup 2018 final EPA 10/17 French supporters celebrate on the Champs Elysee EPA 11/17 French supporters celebrate on the Place de la Republique EPA 12/17 Supporters celebrate on the Champs Elysees after France's 4-2 win EPA 13/17 Thousands of fand celebrating after France won the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match against Croatia on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. AFP/Getty Images 14/17 Frenc fans lighting flares as they celebrate after France won the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match against Croatia on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. AFP/Getty Images 15/17 France fans celebrate on the Champs Elysees avenue REUTERS 16/17 A giant picture of France's Antoine Griezmann is seen on the Arc de Triomphe as France fans celebrate on the Champs Elysees REUTERS 17/17 France fans from Russia celebrate after the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in Moscow AP

Additional reporting by the Associated Press.