FIFA Considers Expanding World Cup to 64 Teams for 2030 Tournament
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
FIFA is considering expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, aiming to boost global participation and revenues. The tournament will be hosted by six countries across South America, Europe, and Africa. Despite the expansion, Israel's qualification chances remain low due to tough European competition.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- FIFA plans to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams to increase participation and profits.
- The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams and has been financially successful for FIFA.
- The 2030 tournament will be hosted by Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.
- Israel's chances to qualify remain slim due to strong competition in Europe.
- Discussions about expansion began in September 2025 after a South American proposal.
- FIFA President Infantino stressed the tournament is for all nations to dream of participation.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches its final stages, FIFA is seriously considering expanding the 2030 World Cup to include 64 national teams. This proposal aims to increase global participation and generate significant financial gains for the organization. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the idea is on the table and will be reviewed by relevant committees after the 2026 tournament.
The 2026 World Cup, which will feature 48 teams for the first time, has already proven highly profitable, with skyrocketing ticket prices for group and knockout stage matches boosting FIFA's revenues by hundreds of millions of dollars. Building on this success, the 2030 tournament is planned to be hosted across six countries: Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will each host one opening stage match, while the remaining games will be held in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.
Despite the expansion, the chances for Israel to qualify remain slim due to the intense competition within the European confederation, which has the highest number of strong teams. Infantino emphasized that the World Cup is meant to be inclusive and allow every nation to dream of participating, noting the rising quality of teams worldwide. However, Israel's path to qualification is expected to remain challenging even with the increased number of slots.
The discussions about expanding to 64 teams began in September 2025 following a formal proposal from influential South American leaders. FIFA plans to continue evaluating the format and its implications for global football development and commercial success. The 2030 World Cup will mark the centennial of the tournament's first edition, adding historical significance to the event.
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