World Cup

Mark McGhee backs expanded World Cup plan

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 04 October 2016

Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee backs plans from FIFA to increase the number of teams who qualify for the World Cup from 32 to 48.

Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee has backed plans from FIFA to increase the number of teams who qualify for the World Cup.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed earlier this week that he would look into the possibility of turning the tournament into a 48-team format from the current 32-team set-up.

Scotland have not reached a World Cup since 1998, and McGhee admitted that he would be keen on any idea that might help them to end that wait.

"I'd be a fan of any format that gets us to a World Cup. Whatever that format is, we have to live by it. The format this time round is pretty difficult. I think it was shown in the Euros with teams like Iceland and Wales, the Republic and Northern Ireland, what a fantastic contribution they can make, even if they're not of the quality of Spain and Germany," he told reporters.

"They maybe made the major contribution, Wales and teams like that, to the competition and made the competition a success. Not just the players, but the supporters of these teams made it a spectacle. I know the Tartan Army would.

"I think there is a space for countries like that and if there's a route to make it more manageable to get there, then I'm all for that."

Scotland currently top their qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup in Russia following their 5-1 win over Malta in their opening match.