Question: how many teams are in world cup qualifying

title: 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
text: In October 2013 , UEFA President Michel Platini proposed that the World Cup finals should be expanded from 32 to 40 teams starting from 2018 . The format would have been the same , but in groups of five instead of four . This was in response to FIFA President Sepp Blatter 's comments that Africa and Asia deserved more spots in the World Cup finals at the expense of European and South American teams . However , FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke said that expansion in 2018 would be `` unlikely '' , while Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko said that the country was `` preparing on the basis that 32 teams will be taking part . '' Expansion was ultimately delayed until 10 January 2017 , when the FIFA Council voted unanimously to expand to 48 teams starting in the 2026 FIFA World Cup . 

Answer: answer: In October 2013, UEFA President Michel Platini proposed that the World Cup finals should be expanded from 32 to 40 teams starting from 2018.  Expansion was ultimately delayed until 10 January 2017, when the FIFA Council voted unanimously to expand to 48 teams starting in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.