Gianni Infantino: 'World Cup expansion talks have been positive'

New FIFA president Gianni Infantino prior to the Premier League match between Swansea City and Norwich City at Liberty Stadium on March 5, 2016
© Getty Images
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says that initial talks over expanding the World Cup to as many as 48 teams have been "positive".

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.

FIFA presidential candidate Gianni Infantino talks during the Extraordinary FIFA Congress at Hallenstadion on February 26, 2016
Read Next:
FIFA looking into 48-team World Cup
>

Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City86111981119
2Arsenal86111991019
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs8530134918
4Liverpool85211810817
5Chelsea8512159616
6Everton8431126615
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd8422138514
8Southampton8332107312
9Crystal Palace8323119211
10Watford83231313011
11Bournemouth83231212011
12West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom824298110
13Leicester CityLeicester8224814-68
14Burnley8215612-67
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham8215917-87
16Hull City8215820-127
17Middlesbrough8134711-46
18Stoke CityStoke8134716-96
19Swansea CitySwansea8116815-74
20Sunderland8026615-92