FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed a 48-team World Cup that would see 16 teams eliminated after one knockout match.
The proposal would essentially add a play-in round three days before the current 32-team group stage. From that point, the tournament would progress as it has in the past.
Infantino revealed his plan during a visit to Bogato, Colombia, and said the proposal will be discussed at a FIFA council next week before a final decision in made in January.
"The idea is that 16 teams would qualify directly to the group stage and the other 32 would play in a preliminary phase, in the country where the World Cup is being played -- they would play for the remaining 16 places," he said.