A formal call for expressions of interest from A-League expansion aspirants is set to be made before the end of the month as Football Federation Australia plots a revival of the ailing competition.

Open to expansion: David Gallop. Credit:AAP

FFA chief executive David Gallop revealed the governing body was also actively revisiting the recruitment of big-name marquee players like Alessandro Del Piero to help boost flagging crowd numbers and television ratings.

Gallop said there were about 10 groups who had publicly declared their intention to bid for an A-League licence, with two new teams to be added in the 2019-20 season, but expected more to emerge once the expansion process officially began by the end of March.

Specific criteria for application will be released to those parties, who will be given several months to put together their formal bids before an announcement of successful bidders by the end of the year.