Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan has welcomed FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from 2026, describing it as "a positive step, particularly for the smaller nations".
Regan feels the revised format will hand countries such as Scotland – who have not qualified for a major tournament since the World Cup in France in 1998 – return to the top table of global football.
"We are pleased with the news that the FIFA World Cup will expand to 48 teams from 2026," he said.
"We believe this is a positive step, particularly for the smaller nations, and will allow more fans across the globe to revel in their country’s participation at a FIFA World Cup Finals.