The Association’s chief executive believes the possibility, which could see Hampden, Ibrox and Celtic Park host world giants such as Brazil and Argentina as part of joint British bid, is a live one.
That has never happened before, though Glasgow is one of 13 cities from 12 different countries who have been awarded ties in the Euro 2020 Finals, billed as a celebratory ‘Euros for Europe’.
New FIFA President Gianni Infantino was one of the driving forces behind that initiative and it is his enthusiasm for expanding and regionalising the World Cup which Regan feels has opened the door for Scotland.
“Gianni was instrumental in developing the Euro 2020 concept and feels it could also work at a global level for the World Cup,” said the official.
“You can imagine a British bid, for example and if an opportunity came along then I am sure it would be one we would interested to find out more about.
“Given the profile of stadia we’ve got it might suit Scotland to be part of something like that.
“At the moment, it’s just an idea – there is no detail on how it might work and we don’t know if the new FIFA council would even support it – but as the thing develops it’s certainly going to be an attractive proposition for the smaller countries.
“I am talking about all the ones who don’t have the infrastructure, the stadia, the resources to bid for a World Cup on their own.”
The SFA Chief Executive says last week’s tragic events in Brussels will not affect plans for the summer friendly games against France and Italy.
“We have our own security and integrity officer, Peter McLaughlin, who works very closely with Police Scotland and is in constant touch with the British Embassy in various parts of the world who will keep close to the embassies in Malta (venue for the Italian game) and in France.
“As we get closer to the event though there’s no suggestion at the moment that there’s any increased risk.
“Given that Euro 2016 is in France and Paris is the final, there are huge security increases and improvements that have been made.
“Every country that’s involved has been warned that security will be heightened. For friendly matches, we’ve got to put our own plans in place and we will do but we just monitor the intelligence we get back from the police nearer the time.”
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