Sir Kenny Dalglish: FIFA have been in the firing line, but I’m all for this plan

For a variety of reasons, a lot of verbals have been aimed at FIFA during this World Cup.

Many of the points have been valid, and deserve to be highlighted and put under the microscope.

I don’t think FIFA and Gianni Infantino have come out of it all too well.

However, I do welcome their decision to increase the World Cup Finals from 32 nations to 48 nations in four years’ time when the tournament is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

I think that will be a cracking carnival of football, and a fantastic advert for the greatest game on the planet.

As long as FIFA is doing this for the right reasons – putting the game of football first and not finances – then let’s all get behind it.

At the end of the day, as the game’s overall governing body, they should be doing all they can to increase player participation at all levels.

They should also be encouraging more supporters to get involved, and make access to games a more affordable and enjoyable experience.

FIFA should be finding ways to do all of this around the globe.

Adding 16 nations to the Finals should be great. It means UEFA will get three extra slots.

Naturally, it makes me think that it increases Scotland’s chances of being there.

It’s been 24 years since we’ve been at a World Cup Finals, so we should take all the help we can get.

The proposed plan is for 16 groups of three nations. The top two countries will go through to form a 32-team straight knock-out competition.

That would be exciting, and it would be harder not to qualify.

Again, that could be a great opportunity for Scotland to reach the second stage for the first time ever.

I’m also certain the countries hosting in 2026 will provide what could be the best tournament yet.

I was in the United States when they hosted it in 1994, and it was brilliant.

Look at how the USA and Canada have both improved as footballing nations since then, and the amount of funding they’ve put into “soccer”, as they call it over there.

Celtic have just signed Canadian right-back Alistair Johnston from FC Montreal for around £3-million. The Hoops also have Cameron Carter-Vickers, who was with the United States squad in Qatar, in their team.

The Americans have really pushed the game over there in the past 35 years.

For both genders, the level of investment has been incredible, and that’s why they’ve produced some really top players.

Remember, the USA women’s team are World Champions. They love their soccer, and it will continue to grow and grow at all levels for all.

I was in New York for Republic of Ireland against Italy in 1994, and the whole experience was different class. The atmosphere was incredible. Great memories.

Of course, neither nation has been in Qatar for this Finals, and FIFA would rather have the Italians involved.

Increasing the World Cup to 48 nations would hopefully, from their point of view, allow Italy to be there.

Most of the big nations did manage to get to Qatar, but a few exited earlier than expected.

Spain can be counted on that list, and it was no surprise it led to Luis Enrique losing his job.

The quality of penalties from the Spanish was very, very poor, although credit to the Morocco goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou.

He was outstanding and psyched out the Spain players, especially Sergio Busquests.

But Spain will bounce back, and Luis will get a job whenever he feels ready to take one again, as he is a quality coach.

We are now at the semi-final stage, and it is wide open.

I’ve enjoyed most of the tournament, although some of the games were far from entertaining.

I just hope that four years from now, I’m watching Scotland being involved in it again. I’d love nothing more than that.