Talk of the FIFA World Cup changing their format to 48 teams in the future has certainly sparked debate among football fans.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has backed the introduction of more teams and a revised format, and former Barcelona and Spain skipper Carles Puyol has also revealed he is in favour.
Some football fans feel that FIFA shouldn't change a winning formula, but Puyol, a World Cup winner in 2010, is in onboard and believes it would be "innovative and exciting".
Writing in a column for Spanish outlet MARCA, he is translated as saying:
Advert
"When I heard about World Cup with 48 teams for the first time, the truth is that I was quite skeptical. It gave me the impression that every day came with a new proposal and that all this was not very serious or well thought out. When Marca asked me for my opinion, I tried to better understand the details of this proposal.
"Then, recently, I talked to a group of passionate football friends about the idea of a World Cup of 48 teams with 16 groups of 3, little by little I started to be curious. I have to recognize that it would be very innovative and exciting to have a round of 32 to direct elimination instead of another group match."
The 38-year old also made a point of giving talented footballers playing for lesser teams the opportunity to play in a World Cup.
Advert
"I also remember having been with extraordinary players in my club who deserved to be in a World Cup. Seydou Keita, from Mali and with whom I played for four years at Barça, for example. Also Eidur Gudjohnsen, with whom I played with for three years. Such a player deserves to be seen and participate in a great tournament. A World Cup of 48 teams would give the opportunity to see more great players."
Has the shaggy-haired former defender convinced you that a 48-team World Cup is a good idea? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: