UEFA are to consider a Scottish Football Association request to expand the European Championships from 16 to 24 teams.
In an effort to secure more places in the finals of a major championship for smaller nations, the Scottish FA have submitted a proposal for next month's UEFA's Congress to consider the increase.
They have been supported by the Republic of Ireland, plus the FAs of Sweden and Latvia.
UEFA confirmed proposal had been submitted.
"There has been a request from Scottish FA backed by three other national associations to have the proposal put on the agenda for the Congress in January,” a spokesman said.
"The next stage would be for the Congress to ask for a feasibility study on it or to reject the proposal."
The expansion would mean almost half of UEFA's 52 member countries getting to the finals, but UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson said that if there was support, the changes could even affect Euro 2012.
Italy, plus joint bids from Ukraine/Poland and Croatia/Hungary are currently battling to host the tournament.
The last expansion took place for Euro 96 in England, when the finals went from eight teams to 16.
From 1960 to 1976 it was a mini-tournament of just four teams.
The Congress will have to consider the disadvantages of a 24-team tournament, which in past World Cups has had unsatisfactory systems for reducing numbers to a last eight.