UEFA set to confirm Euro expansion

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The decision, to be taken by UEFA's executive committee at their meeting in Bordeaux on Thursday and Friday, follows a proposal by the Scottish FA and Football Association of Ireland last year.

Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith told PA Sport: "I think the expansion will be better for the game - more teams will have the chance of qualifying and the excitement of the groups will go on for longer."

He added: "It is disappointing in that it means we will not be able to stage the tournament in the future, and we recognise that will be the case.

"It was a trade-off between trying to stage it or open up the qualification process and we have decided to look at something that helps everybody."

It will take effect from the 2016 finals and has drawn virtually unanimous support from the 53 member countries.

Smith said the proposal had not been an attempt merely to make it easier for Scotland to qualify for a major finals.

He added: "It will make if easier but it will make it easier for other countries such as England who failed to qualify for Euro 2008. We didn't do it specifically for that purpose however."

UEFA are also expected to announce that Poland and Ukraine will be kept as Euro 2012 joint hosts but will be warned they have to keep to strict deadlines for their construction projects.

The leaders of European football's ruling body will also authorise the budget for a special investigation unit to target match-fixing and corruption in football.