It’s certainly not too soon to begin discussing the upcoming World Cup.
Can Italy finally return?
The excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is still fresh, and fans are still reeling from the thrills and spills of the tournament. It’s this very anticipation that makes the World Cup so unique, as it sparks discussions and speculations about future competitions.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hinted at an even grander event in 2030, potentially featuring 64 nations. This 100th edition of the World Cup will mainly take place in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, while Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will host special matches to commemorate the tournament’s centennial.
In the world of football, four years can feel like an eternity. New talents emerge, teams fall from grace, and fresh powerhouses rise. Making predictions for 2030 might be unwise, but certain questions are already unavoidable.
READ MORE: How Luis de la Fuente has rejuvenated Spain into the world’s most complete football team, leading them to a magnificent World Cup victory.
This tournament will mark a historic milestone as it will be jointly organized by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, making it the first World Cup to span two confederations and the first to touch North African soil.
As part of the centenary celebrations, FIFA has decided to return to the tournament’s origins. Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, which hosted the 1930 final, will kick off the festivities with one of the opening matches, complemented by games in Argentina and Paraguay to honor South America’s pivotal role in launching the World Cup.
The previous World Cup in 2026, despite concerns about the quality due to the increase to 48 teams, turned out to be the highest-scoring edition ever.
Now, FIFA is contemplating a further expansion. Infantino mentioned during the tournament that the idea of a 64-team World Cup will be reviewed after the competition concludes. “When organizing a World Cup, it’s important to cater to the whole world—not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire planet.”
If this expansion gets the green light, it could provide a pathway for even more nations to make their World Cup debut.
The recent performance of Cape Verde highlighted the potential of newcomers in the tournament. They managed to hold eventual champions Spain to a goalless draw and forced Argentina into extra time during one of the tournament’s standout knockout matches.
A 64-team World Cup has the potential to create even more remarkable stories.
Italy’s last appearance at a World Cup was in 2014, where they exited during the group stage. That tournament is perhaps better remembered for Luis Suárez’s infamous bite on Giorgio Chiellini than the football played.
Since then, the four-time champions have failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cups, making them the only former winners to experience such a prolonged absence from the competition.
The proposed expansion to 64 teams could offer Italy a precious opportunity to return to the sport’s grandest stage.
This is not a fading golden generation; Italy is now home to one of the youngest elite teams in the world.
Luis de la Fuente has an additional four years to develop a team that is already performing at an exceptional level.
Assuming De la Fuente remains in charge and injuries are kept at bay, Spain could enter the 2030 World Cup as the team to beat before the tournament even starts.
France looks well-positioned for success. Stars like Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Bradley Barcola should all be in their prime. Notably, there are strong indications that Zinedine Zidane will take over as coach after the 2026 World Cup.
Germany could also be an intriguing wildcard. If Jurgen Klopp steps in as manager, the four-time champions may finally break free from a decade of underperformance and reestablish themselves as serious contenders.
On the other hand, Argentina faces a daunting rebuilding process. With Lionel Messi likely retiring and many players from the recent World Cup final squad expected to age out by 2028, there will be significant changes to their lineup. Additionally, coach Lionel Scaloni’s future remains uncertain after his team’s defeat against Spain.
The upcoming cycle is poised to belong to a new cohort of talent. Four years is a long time in football, but if the 2030 World Cup were to start tomorrow, it would already be clear: this is Spain’s tournament to lose.
Player Focus
At 34, Rodri will continue to be a commanding presence in midfield, while Pau Cubarsí is set to be just 23, potentially establishing himself among the elite centre-backs in the game. Lamine Yamal, also 23, enters a career phase that promises to be pivotal, with signs pointing to an impressive future ahead.
With Zinedine Zidane at the helm—a World Cup-winning player and one of the most celebrated coaches in club history—France boasts an incredibly talented attacking squad, making them a formidable contender.
England presents an intriguing outlook as well. Their youthful talents are expected to develop effectively, yet the future of Harry Kane at 36 remains uncertain. Much will hinge on the appointment of Thomas Tuchel’s successor.
Who can stop Spain?
Spain has positioned themselves as a formidable force in the competitive landscape of football. The question now is, can they successfully defend their title?
