Patrick Nally

Expanded World Cup is 'absurd' idea, sponsorship guru says

Patrick Nally, who brokered FIFA's first major sponsorship deal, with Coca Cola, ahead of the 1978 World Cup, said the sports body's decision to inflate the size of the tournament from 32 teams will devalue it, and ultimately make it less attractive and lucrative.

"They have rushed through this 48-team plan thinking it is going to make them billions more," Nally said.