UEFA to examine possibility for EURO expansion

UEFA's Congress will delve into a report that suggests the governing body expand its European Championship tournament.

The report will be presented to delegates at a meeting 31 Jan. in Zagreb, Croatia. A vote on whether to expand will be taken later. An expansion from 16 clubs to 24 is being reviewed.

Some concerns are whether expansion would siphon some excitement from the qualifying rounds, with more teams making the final field. Also, smaller nations fear their host status could be endangered, as more clubs mean the need for more hotels and more top-notch facilities.

The earliest changes would go into effect would be 2016.

"They have looked at different numbers and the overall effect of making such changes, including the possible effect on the qualifying round," UEFA spokesman William Gaillard told Reuters.

"By expanding the number of teams in the final competition you could actually make the qualifying tournament less interesting so all these factors have to be taken into account."

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