FIFA have decided to expand the World Cup finals from 32 to 48 teams from 2026, in line with the change that the new president Gianni Infantino promised to make to world football event.

The enlarged format, voted for by the FIFA Council in Zurich on Tuesday, will yield 16 groups of three countries, with the top two advancing to the knockout rounds of the global showpiece.

The soccer governing body voted unanimously in the favour of the change that will have the tournament completed within 32 days something that will have an effect on best football leagues in Europe.

The amount of games will rise from 64 to 80, but the eventual winners will still only play seven times over the course that is seen as finacially driven by the football boss administration.

The last time the competition expanded was in 1998.African and Asian countries are expected to benefit.