Uefa will consider expanding the number of nations competing in future European Championships following a request from the FAI and Scottish counterparts, the SFA.

European football's governing body will shortly conduct a feasibility study into the proposal after the motion was put to Uefa delegates at a congress in Dusseldorf today.

An FAI delegation, led by chief executive John Delaney, is in Germany for Uefa's presidential election and gave its support to a Scottish-driven agenda to expand future tournaments.

Scotland want to see the number of participating nations increase from 16 to 24 although Fifa president Sepp Blatter is strongly opposed to the move.

"The qualifying groups are now of eight and seven teams and as a result there are less meaningful games," Delaney told delegates.

"All it can lead to is repeated non-qualification for major tournaments which affects our ability to promote the game."

Opening the tournament to 24 teams would, Delaney believes, increase both revenue and profile.  It would also give fans more opportunities to support their team at major finals, he said.

"We would be missing a huge opportunity if we did not explore this proposal," Delaney added.

SFA chief executive David Taylor denied the proposal was devised to ensure Scotland - and, indeed, the Republic of Ireland - qualified for major tournaments more often

Scotland last reached a major final in 1998 but Taylor was quick to point out today that the Scots currently top European 2008 qualifying Group B.

"We have nothing but the good of football at heart in making this proposal," he said.