Michel Platini suggests expanding the World Cup from 32 to 40 teams from 2018

"We need more African and Asian teams. Rather than removing European teams, we should go up to 40 teams", said Michel Platini, president of UEFA (Union of European Football Associations ) regarding the current number of teams in the finals of the World Cup, on the 28/10/2013.

"It would be good for everyone. We could add two African teams, two Asian, two American, a Pacific and a European... Football is changing. We have 209 associations, so why limit it? Make more people happy", said the president of the European body in an interview with British newspaper The Times.

The expansion from 32 to 40 teams, which could be put in place for the 2018 World Cup in Russia would only lengthen the competition by three days (currently 31 days), according to a study by UEFA (with 8 groups of 5 teams, the first two of each group qualifying for the knockout stages).

The statement follows the remarks of Joseph Blatter, president of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), who wants less European teams involved in the competition: "From a purely sporting perspective I would like to see…