World football's governing body FIFA is heading for a showdown with all the big powers in Europe after proposing a 18-team league format.

On Thursday FIFA's Congress endorsed a proposal for Europe's top leagues to be reduced to a maximum of 18 clubs by the start of the 2007-08 season.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said: "We've been given the power to work on it. We'll do it. It'll give four more days to the international calendar."

FIFA's decision could hit the Spanish, Italian, and French leagues, which all have more than 18 teams.