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GENEVA -- World Cup expansion plans got even bigger Monday, and the 2026 tournament could have 48 teams playing instead of 32.FIFA President Gianni Infantino outlined the idea that would see 16 teams go home after playing just one game in a new opening playoff round.The 16 playoff winners would join 16 seeded teams to begin a 32-team group stage that follows the current World Cup format.Expanding to 48 means more countries and regions all over the world would be happy, Infantino said in a speech in Bogota, Colombia.Infantinos suggested format would create a tournament of 80 matches instead of the current 64 -- driving up the price broadcasters would pay for rights to the worlds most-watched sports event.FIFA earned around $5 billion from the 2014 tournament in Brazil.The 2026 World Cup format and bidding process will begin to be discussed next week when Infantino chairs a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich.The United States, Canada and Mexico are potential bidders for a tournament that the North American soccer body CONCACAF believes it is overdue to host for the first time since the U.S. staged the World Cup in 1994.The FIFA ruling councils decision on the 2026 format is expected within months and is set to be a defining issue of Infantinos presidency before he is due for re-election in 2019.Infantino wooed FIFA voters by promising a 40-team World Cup before winning election in February. He is completing the mandate of Sepp Blatter, who supported a 32-team World Cup.Now Infantino believes that with 40 teams, the math doesnt work.You could have a tournament in which the 16 best teams advance to a group stage and the other 16 will came out of a `playoff ahead of the group stage, and the World Cup could end up with 48 teams, Infantino said at a university in the Colombian capital.How to define the best teams could ignite debate if seeding is decided on the merit of recent results, or a national teams historical record at past World Cups.On current FIFA rankings, the 16 best teams all come from Europe and South America, except for 15th-ranked Mexico.Infantinos previous employer, UEFA, provoked anger in recent weeks by changing future Champions League seeding and prize money distribution rules that favor traditional powers over emerging teams.Staging a World Cup of 48 teams would also add stress on host nations with extra demands for stadiums and training bases.That could favor candidates like the U.S. with existing infrastructure in place, or increase support for Infantinos election campaign idea of regional hosting across multiple countries. 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Cheap Authentic Shoes From China . -- Lou Brocks shoulder-to-shoulder collision with Bill Freehan during the 1968 World Series and Pete Roses bruising hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game could become relics of baseball history, like the dead-ball era. TORONTO -- Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis isnt making any promises for the job of Torontos No. 1 goaltender. He likes his options though after acquiring Jonathan Bernier from the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday. Bernier, stuck behind all-star goalie Jonathan Quick in Los Angeles, has been looking for more playing time and is sure to put heat on Maple Leafs incumbent James Reimer. "Nothing is being guaranteed to anyone," Nonis said during a conference call. "Its a situation where we feel that were deeper. Both have great potential and both are going to get an opportunity to develop and hopefully realize that potential." Toronto gave up forward Matt Frattin, backup goaltender Ben Scrivens and a second-round pick in either the 2014 or 2015 NHL Entry Draft to land Bernier. Nonis said it was a deal that he and Kings general manager Dean Lombardi had been discussing since almost the first week of the lockout-shortened season. "We were close a couple times but there was always something that stopped the deal," said Nonis. "We talked on and off for months. This deal, most of it, was in place months ago and we just found a time that was right for both sides." Bernier, 24, is eligible to become a restricted free agent but Berniers agent Pat Brisson has already spoken with Leafs GM Dave Nonis and the two plan on engaging in contract talks this week. Bernier played in 14 regular-season games for the Kings in 2012-13, compiling a 9-3-1 record with a goals-against average of 1.88 and save percentage of .922. "Obviously Im very excited," Bernier told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com. "Going to Toronto I think is a great challenge. Theyve got a really good young team and hopefully I can fit in and have some success with them." He was taken by the Kings in the first round (11th overall) of the 2006 draft. He played in 62 career regular-season games with the Kings, compiling a 29-20-6 record, .912 save percentage, 2.36 GAA and six shutouts. The trade definitely puts the status of Reimer as Torontos No. 1 in question. The Leafs signed the 25-year-old Reimer to a three-year contract extension in June 2011, but his development has been slowed by injuries. Reimer went 19-8-5 this season with a 2.46 GAA and a .934 save percentagee.dddddddddddd He also helped the Leafs take the Bruins to the seventh game of the opening round of the playoffs. Nonis insists the deal for Bernier should not be seen as a lack of confidence in Reimer. "This shouldnt be looked at like a knock on James because its not," said Nonis. "I believe that when you have someone pushing you get the most out of yourself. And I think the situation here is these guys are going to push each other and were going to see some good goaltending because of it." Bernier, who made US$1.525 million this season, is eligible to become a restricted free agent, but Nonis believes signing the 24-year-old from Laval, Que., wont be an issue. In fact Nonis expects to be busy in the stretch heading to free agency. He says Toronto likely isnt done making moves. "I believe there is going to be some pieces available between now and free agency. And for a lot of different reasons," said Nonis. "Are we looking to possibly add some other pieces? Yes. If theres a piece that helps us long term, were going to be active." Nonis was general manager for the Canadian squad at the 2011 IIHF world championship -- a team that included both Bernier and Remier. He says the two players got along at the tournament and expects that relationship to grow on the Leafs. "(They) seem to get along well and both played well. Im looking forward to getting both of them together and think its going to be a really great fit." Scrivens, 26, played 20 games for the Maple Leafs this past season with a 7-9 record. Frattin, 25, had seven goals and six assists in 25 regular-season games for the Leafs in 2012-13. "Just want to thank MapleLeafs for a first class experience to start my pro career," Frattin tweeted. "Very excited to join LAKings." King assistant GM Ron Hextall said in a video on the Kings official website that it was a tough situation for Bernier to be backing up a goalie like Quick. "Its kind of bittersweet. Jons been with us a long time. Hes been a great soldier for us and hes been a very good player for us. "Unfortunately, hes stuck behind Jonathan Quick which is a tough situation for Jon. As a sense of fairness to him and at the timing that we felt was the best for the organization, we made the move." ' ' '