MX23RW : Monday, November 25 02:52:46| >> :600:215465:215465:

Mark McGhee backs expanded World Cup plan

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.

ID:282597: cacheID:282597:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2528:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Shaun Maloney of Scotland in action during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifying Group A match between Scotland and Belgium at Hampden Park on September 6, 2013
Read Next:
Gordon Strachan recalls Maloney, Wallace
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!