Full Breakdown
FIFA Mulls 64-Team World Cup for 2030 After 2026 Review
7/13/2026, 8:31:33 AM
Core Proposal
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that the governing body will examine a further expansion of the men’s World Cup from the current 48 teams to 64 teams for the 2030 edition. He told Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport that the issue will be “examined after the World Cup” and that any decision will be taken by FIFA’s committees once the 2026 tournament concludes.
Background & Context
The World Cup featured 32 teams from 1998 through the 2022 edition. The 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico introduced a 48-team format, the first expansion in 24 years. The proposal to add another 16 nations originated in March 2025 when CONMEBOL submitted a formal request for the 2030 centenary tournament. In September 2025 Infantino met with CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez and other South American officials in New York to discuss the idea. The 2030 finals will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
Data & Statistics
- The 48-team format yields 104 matches; a 64-team tournament would require 128 matches.
- Infantino highlighted that nine out of ten African teams reached the knockout stage in 2026, compared with five at the previous World Cup.
- FIFA projects record revenue of about 9 billion USD from the 2026 cycle, suggesting a larger field could further increase commercial returns.
Official Statements & Responses
Infantino emphasized inclusivity, stating that the World Cup must be “for the whole world – not just Europe and South America.” He described the 48-team edition as a “huge success,” noting high-level play across all continents. CONMEBOL’s Domínguez called the 2030 tournament “historic” and urged “unity, creativity and believing big.” FIFA officials confirmed that the proposal will be reviewed by the relevant committees, with the FIFA Council retaining final authority.
Criticism & Opposition
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has labeled the 64-team plan “a bad idea,” warning it could strain the qualification process. Concacaf president Victor Montagliani argued the expansion “doesn’t feel right” and could damage the broader football ecosystem. AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa warned that further enlargement could create “chaos” in scheduling. Former Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz questioned the value of the competition if too many nations qualify, suggesting the rarity of World Cup participation would be diluted.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Media coverage varies: some outlets praise the 48-team format as a step toward global representation, while others cite concerns about diluted quality and an already congested international calendar. No formal vote on the 64-team model has been taken, and FIFA has not released a definitive timeline for a decision, leaving the proposal’s fate uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “These are all issues that we will be examining after the World Cup,” — Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
- “When organising a World Cup, it's important to organise it for the whole world - not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire world. Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup.” — Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
- “Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup. You can see that the quality of the teams is extremely high, and it’s getting higher and higher, all over the world. If you don’t give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they’ll lack the incentive to keep improving.” — Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
- “AP Photo/Lynne Sladky “It’s been a huge success with 48 teams.” — Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
- “I think it is a bad idea.” — Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA President
- “We want to call for unity, creativity and believing big.” — Alejandro Domínguez, CONMEBOL President
What’s Next
FIFA’s committees will study the 64-team proposal after the 2026 tournament ends. The organization has indicated that any amendment to the World Cup format will be decided before the 2030 centenary edition, though no specific date for a vote has been announced.
