Wales’ World Cup qualification chances boosted

Wales could be in line to receive a massive boost to future World Cup qualification hopes after football’s world governing body FIFA discussed proposals to raise the number of teams in the tournament from 32 to 40.

The proposal was discussed at FIFA’s executive committee on Thursday as one of a number of possible changes that could come into force from 2026.

A decision on the proposal however has been put back in order to consider more of the possible impacts which could include extending the tournament duration by an extra week to cope with the extra 32 matches it would incur.

Wales’ qualification for the finals of Euro 2016 were helped by a similar move by European organisers UEFA who raised the number of teams qualifying for France for the first time, a move which aided Chris Coleman’s side’s hopes throughout qualification.

In order for the changes to be implemented they would need to be voted through by member nations however similar proposals were rejected in May when members voted to keep the current system in place.