FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams will be a catalyst to soccer's growth in countries hovering on the fringe of the showpiece tournament, according to Japan Football Association (JFA) president Kozo Tashima.

FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams will address Asia's long-standing demand for greater representation in the showpiece tournament, Asian Football Confederation president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said on Wednesday.

FIFA has voted to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from its current 32, brushing aside concerns that the expansion would lower the overall standard of the tournament, and make it too long and unwieldy.

FIFA's governing council is set to decide on Tuesday whether to expand the World Cup, a controversial idea that has created deep divisions among global football's most powerful camps.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino hopes to see video referees used at the 2018 World Cup in Russia -- if its teething problems have been fixed in time.

The powerful body representing Europe's top clubs on Thursday said it opposed the proposed enlargement of the World Cup, saying leading players were already under too much strain.

Argentine sports marketing company Torneos y Competencias S.A. agreed Tuesday to pay $112.8 million to settle charges in the United States stemming from a massive FIFA corruption scandal, authorities said.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino on Thursday said Asian countries backed his plan to expand the World Cup to 48 teams -- and added that up to three countries should be allowed to co-host the tournament.

Russian investigators say they have detained the former deputy governor of Saint Petersburg over suspected fraud during the construction of a World Cup venue.

The United States face an uphill battle to qualify for their eighth consecutive World Cup Finals after being demolished 4-0 by a rampant Costa Rica in San Jose.

An outstanding performance from Gabriel Jesus helps Brazil to a 2-0 win over Peru and move the five times World Cup winners four points clear at the top of the South American qualifying group for Russia 2018.

Lionel Messi announced a press boycott to protest against a journalist who alleged team-mate Ezequiel Lavezzi had used marijuana at Argentina's training base.

Ecuador romp to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Venezuela to reignite their 2018 World Cup qualifying challenge as Paraguay's bid suffers a setback with a defeat to struggling Bolivia.

Lionel Messi scores a majestic free-kick and sets up two more goals as Argentina got their faltering 2018 World Cup qualification campaign back on track with a 3-0 win over Colombia.

Brazil coach Tite warns his side to be wary of Peru's attacking threats, Christian Cueva and Paolo Guerrero, when the two teams clash in World Cup qualifying in Lima.

Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku score twice as Belgium destroy Estonia 8-1 to seize top spot outright in World Cup Group H qualifying.

Cristiano Ronaldo converts one penalty, misses another and also scores from open play as Portugal beat Latvia 4-1 in their World Cup qualifier.

The wife of Argentine Angel Di Maria blasted the her husband’s detractors in the wake of their 3-0 loss to Brazil in a World Cup qualifier.

Andrea Belotti scores twice as Italy make light work of Liechtenstein in their World Cup qualifier, scoring four first-half goals on the way to a 4-0 win.

Aritz Aduriz becomes the oldest man to score for Spain in an international, netting the final goal in their 4-0 victory over Macedonia in the World Cup qualifying Group G match.