FIFA has taken another step towards a 48-team World Cup in 2022 as its council approved further discussions with hosts Qatar.
"We have shown the council the feasibility study in which we conclude: yes, it is possible to expand the 2022 World Cup - provided that some conditions are met," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said following the council meeting in Miami.
The early expansion of the World Cup in 2022 is dependent on finding at least one country willing and able to act as co-host.
However, a final decision will only be made at the FIFA congress in Paris on June 5.
Qatar won the right to host a 32-nation World Cup with FIFA's expansion to 48 originally planned from the 2026 edition held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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Finding a co-host is made difficult by many of Qatar's neighbours, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, blockading the country over accusations - denied by Doha - of supporting terrorism.
Kuwait and Oman, who are not part of the blockade, are considered possibilities.
"My impression is that the political situation leaves it completely open as to whether there will be an expansion of the World Cup in Qatar," said German federation president Reinhard Grindel, a member of the FIFA council.
