As the world football governing body FIFA today decided on an expanded World Cup as from the 2026 edition onwards, Malta's hopes to ever make it to the finals remain what they have been since its first participation in 1974 - zero, given its past performances.

Malta has taken part in 11 qualifying editions of the competition, finishing last in its European group on 10 occasions, and making it to one place above the last only once, in 1994, with a famous and still-remembered away win in Estonia.

This makes it impossible - unless, of course, a drastic change occurs and Malta improves its results - for the boys in red to ever qualify for the finals of a World Cup.

FIFA is to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, playing in 16 groups of three teams.

The prize of 16 extra places, and the biggest increases to Africa and Asia, has "overwhelming" support from FIFA's 211 member federations, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said.

Europe will also see an increase in the number of nations making it to the finals, but this will not improve Malta's chances, since the qualifying nations either have to win their respective group, or finish runners-up. Malta is never anywhere near those places.

In the qualifying phase for the 1974, 1978 and 1982 Malta finished last with no points, in 1986 last with one point, 1990 last with two points, 1994 one place before the last with three points, in 1998 last with no points, 2002 last with one point, 2006 last with three points, 2010 last with one point and 2014 last with three points.

In the current competition for the 2018 World Cup, Malta has played four of its 10 scheduled matches, losing them all.