FIFA presidential hopeful Gianni Infantino has hinted that the World Cup could be expanded by eight teams to 40 nations if he is elected to head football's governing body.
Infantino, the current UEFA general secretary, entered the presidential race last month and could be European football's lead candidate if UEFA president Michel Platini is banned over a 2011 payment from FIFA.
With the likes of Northern Ireland and Wales qualifying for next year's European Championship and the Netherlands failing to qualify, Infantino believes that expanding the Euros from 16 to 24 teams has been a success and a similar increase could be fruitful with the World Cup.
"I believe in expanding the World Cup based on the experience we had in Europe with the Euros," Infantino told The AP. "Look at qualifiers now where some teams who have never qualified did and some teams which have always qualified didn't make it.
"So it created a completely new dynamic in the qualification. It created new enthusiasm. If you are serious about developing football it must involve more associations in the best football event in the world - the World Cup."
Infantino also said that he would not step aside for Platini if the Frenchman wins any appeals against a suspension.
"I take it seriously which means if I am elected on February 26 in case Michel cannot run, then I will be the FIFA president and I will act as FIFA president," Infantino said. "There is no stepping down or whatever."
Infantino, the face of draws for the Champions League, is a lawyer who has been UEFA's general secretary since 2009.
Pascal Lemesre
