FIFA Considers Expanding World Cup to 64 Teams After 2026 Tournament
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed plans to consider expanding the World Cup to 64 teams after the 2026 tournament, aiming to include more smaller nations. The 2026 event will feature 48 teams, but discussions are underway for further expansion by 2030. While supported by South American football leaders, the proposal faces opposition from other officials concerned about quality and scheduling.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- FIFA plans to discuss expanding the World Cup to 64 teams after 2026.
- The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams, up from 32 in previous tournaments.
- Expansion aims to give smaller nations a chance to compete on football's biggest stage.
- CONMEBOL proposed the 64-team format for the 2030 World Cup centennial.
- Opposition exists from CONCACAF and UEFA officials citing quality and scheduling concerns.
- The 2030 World Cup will be hosted mainly by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco with South American matches.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the organization plans to discuss expanding the World Cup to 64 national teams following the 2026 tournament. The 2026 World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature 48 teams, an increase from the previous 32. Infantino explained that the goal of further expansion is to allow smaller nations the opportunity to compete on football's biggest stage, emphasizing that the World Cup should represent all continents, not just traditional powerhouses from Europe and South America.
In an interview with Swiss network Blue Sport, Infantino highlighted the improving quality of teams worldwide and suggested that giving smaller countries a chance to participate could motivate their continued development. The idea of expanding to 64 teams was first seriously proposed in March 2025 by CONMEBOL, South America's football confederation, which suggested implementing the change as early as the 2030 World Cup, marking the tournament's centennial. Infantino met with CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez and other South American football leaders in September 2025 to discuss the proposal.
The 2030 World Cup is expected to be hosted mainly by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with special matches in South America to commemorate the tournament's 100th anniversary. While some support the expansion as a way to globalize the event, there is notable opposition. CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin have expressed concerns that increasing the number of teams to 64 could harm the tournament's quality, create disparities between teams, and add strain to already congested football calendars.
FIFA has yet to release an official response to these discussions, but the topic is set to be examined by relevant committees after the 2026 World Cup concludes.
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