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Infantino Defends 2026 Prices as 2030 Expands to 64

7/13/2026

38 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the 2026 World Cup’s high ticket prices, citing near-full stadiums and strong resale, and called the 48-team tournament a 100 percent success.
CONMEBOL submitted a formal proposal in April 2025 to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams.
The 2030 tournament will be staged in Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Morocco, Portugal and Spain, with each South American nation potentially hosting a four-team group.

History

Historical Context

The 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, featuring 32 teams for the first time, was staged at the purpose-built 80,000-seat Stade de France. Brazil entered as defending champions after winning in 1994, and 168 nations contested the qualifiers. FIFA’s expansion set a precedent that today’s president Gianni Infantino cites while defending the 48-team format for 2026, reflecting the tournament’s historic growth.

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Story summary

FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the 2026 World Cup’s high ticket prices, citing near-full stadiums and strong resale, and called the 48-team tournament a 100 percent success.
CONMEBOL submitted a formal proposal in April 2025 to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams.
The 2030 tournament will be staged in Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Morocco, Portugal and Spain, with each South American nation potentially hosting a four-team group.

1 / 2