FIFA president Gianni Infantino has revealed that initial talks regarding the possibility of expanding the number of teams who qualify for the World Cup have been "positive".
The proposal was on the agenda during the first of a two-day meeting of the FIFA Council in Zurich, with Infantino hopeful of changing the World Cup from a 32-team tournament into a 48-team one.
A 40-team competition is also an option, although Infantino admitted that there are a number of different factors to look at before a decision is made in January.
"The general feeling was that it was positive that we were discussing this issue but before a decision is taken we need to do more analysis and homework," Infantino told reporters.
"We have some examples to look at - like the recent expansion of the Euros - but whether it will be 40 or 48 we'll have to see at the next meeting in January."
Any change to the number of teams who qualify for the World Cup is likely to come into effect from 2026 onwards.
Barney Corkhill
