THE World Cup will transform in a 48-team mega event from 2026, giving developing nations a greater chance to qualify for FIFA’s showpiece event.

The rise from 32 teams was unanimously ratified by the 37-member FIFA Council in Zurich, with full details to be released shortly.

The FIFA Council unanimously decided on a 48-team #WorldCup as of 2026:

16 groups of 3 teams. Details to follow after the meeting. — FIFA Media (@fifamedia) January 10, 2017

An initiative of new FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the rise from 32 teams will add $1.36 billion (AUD) to the World Cup revenues though it’s has polarised opinion.

“The FIFA Council unanimously decided on a 48-team #WorldCup as of 2026: 16 groups of 3 teams. Details to follow after the meeting,’’ FIFA Tweeted.

Asia, Africa and Oceania will be big beneficiaries, with Asia (4.5 to 8.5) and Africa (5 to 9) each expected to get four extra spots, while Oceania will get direct qualification for the first time.

Most defiance will come from UEFA, with Europe merely rising from 13 to 16.

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Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 will remain untouched in the existing 32-team, 64-game format, before the radical overhaul comes into play in 2026, which is likely to be a North American World Cup.

Diego Maradona was a supporter of the expanded tournament Source: AFP

The game’s greatest player Diego Maradona led a chorus of backers for the 48-team format as FIFA unleashed a charm offensive.

Maradona’s backing was notable because he’s been a vocal critic of world football’s governing body, claiming there was a “mafia” inside FIFA, and was especially critical of the disgraced Sepp Blatter.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and France World Cup winner Marcel Desailly were among the big names to support to increase were, while Germany have led the chorus of critics.

Maradona, who lifted the 1986 World Cup with Argentina, said it will give the paupers hope and reinvigorate a game that’s been blighted by scandal.

Bastian Schweinsteiger holds up the World Cup trophy as his teammates celebrate their 2014 triumph. Source: AP

“I’m delighted by Gianni’s initiative because it gives chances to teams that otherwise would start the qualifiers knowing they had no chance of getting to the World Cup,” Maradona said.

“It gives each country the dream and it renews the passion for football, it appears to me to be a fantastic idea.

“We want a FIFA that is clean so people come back to the stadiums, with so much corruption people have got tired of always seeing the same thing.’’

The European Club Association (ECA), which represents Europe’s heavyweight clubs, could wage a protest against FIFA with chairman and former Germany international Karl-Heinz Rummenigge voicing opposition.

“In the interest of the fans and the players, we urge Fifa not to increase the number of World Cup participants,” he said.

“Politics and commerce should not be the exclusive priority in football.”

EVOLUTION OF WORLD CUP FINALS FORMAT

- 1930: The first World Cup final kicked off with 13 teams in Uruguay, including four European nations - Belgium, France, Romania and Yugoslavia.

- 1934: Expanded to 16 teams for the tournament in Italy, after a qualifying stage for the first time.

- 1938: Only 15 teams take part in France after Austria, which had just been annexed by Nazi Germany, withdraw.

- 1950: The World Cup returns after World War II -- the previous two editions having being cancelled -- with 13 teams competing in Brazil.

- 1954: Hosted by Switzerland the tournament returns to the 16-team format.

- 1958: In Sweden, format unchanged in a tournament in which Brazilian star Pele wins the first of his three World Cups and France striker Just Fontaine is the top scorer with 13 goals, a record which still stands.

- 1970: The World Cup in Mexico is one of firsts - introduction of substitutes (two) during a match; red and yellow cards and tournament televised in colour. Format unchanged.

- 1982: As FIFA looks for new revenues the World Cup in Spain witnessed a small revolution with the passage from 16 to 24 teams and 52 matches played.

- 1986: This edition in Mexico won by Diego Maradona’s Argentina introduces a knockout round of last 16 and quarter-finals.

- 1994: Football continues to modernise with 147 participating in qualifiers and Africa gaining a third team in the final in the United States.

- 1998: The tournament organised in France moves to 32 teams. 174 teams participated in qualifiers.

- 2002: For the first time the World Cup is jointly hosted by two countries -- Japan and South Korea. Brazil win for a fifth time.

- 2010: The first World Cup hosted on the African continent. Format unchanged.

- 2022: To avoid the searing summer heat, the World Cup in Qatar will take place for the first time in winter, from November 21 to December 18 in the Gulf state.

- 2026: FIFA approved an expansion to 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup, with a format of 16 groups of three nations.