The FIFA World Cup is poised for significant transformation once again. Following its recent expansion to 48 teams, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced that discussions will take place regarding a proposal to elevate the tournament to 64 teams for the 2030 World Cup.
Football leaders divided over FIFA expansion
Proponents of expanding the FIFA World Cup argue that it would provide more nations with the opportunity to compete on a global stage. However, detractors caution that this could dilute the qualification process and impact the tournament’s overall quality. In an interview with Swiss media outlet Bluewin, FIFA President Gianni Infantino indicated that the proposal would undergo review by FIFA committees following the 2026 World Cup, which he hailed as a triumph.
The proposed expansion would increase the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams, allowing 16 additional nations to participate. The tournament featured 32 teams from 1998 to 2022 before FIFA expanded the roster to 48 for the 2026 edition. If approved, the 2030 World Cup would set a new record as the largest tournament in history.
A 64-team format would enable more than 25% of FIFA’s 210 member nations to qualify for the tournament.
Infantino affirmed FIFA’s openness to discussing this idea after the current World Cup cycle concludes. “This is definitely a topic that will be analyzed and debated in the appropriate committees following this World Cup,” he commented to Bluewin.
Additionally, Infantino defended the push for increased participation, stating, “The World Cup belongs to the entire world, not just Europe and South America.” He emphasized that every nation deserves a chance to aspire to World Cup participation, noting the growing quality of teams across the globe. He argued that excluding smaller nations from the tournament diminishes their motivation for improvement.
For Infantino, the focus on expansion centers on providing opportunities for countries that rarely compete at the World Cup level.
While not all stakeholders support a larger tournament, with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin labeling the 64-team concept a “bad idea,” and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani expressing reservations, critics warn that increasing the number of teams may lower the stakes for qualification and lead to mismatched contests. As plans progress for the 2030 World Cup—set to occur across six nations and three continents—the debate on expansion remains active.
No decision has been reached yet, but with Infantino confirming that FIFA will formally review the proposal, the prospect of a 64-team World Cup is increasingly becoming a focal point.
Number of teams
Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will each host a single match during the tournament. In contrast, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain will be the venues for the majority of the matches.
