Thursday 3 December 2015 13:58, UK
FIFA is discussing plans to expand the World Cup to 40 teams at a meeting in Zurich.
The proposal to increase the tournament by eight sides is on the agenda for the executive committee as part of a package of reforms for the world governing body.
The move would mean an extra 32 matches in the group stage, adding another week to the 31-day tournament.
It would take the total number of matches to 96 and would come into force for the 2026 competition.
The plan could see eight groups of five teams, with the top two qualifying for the last-16 knockout round.
The 2016 European Championship in France will have 24 teams for the first time after the tournament was expanded from 16 countries by UEFA.
