Expanded 64-Team World Cup Would Include Italy, Nigeria, and Newcomers

Following FIFA President Gianni Infantino's proposal to expand the World Cup to 64 teams, a theoretical lineup based on current qualification standings reveals which additional national teams would qualify for the 2026 tournament under the expanded format. This scenario, constructed from the existing qualification rankings and the proposed slot distribution, excludes Israel but highlights 16 new entrants across all confederations.

In Europe, Italy, Poland, Kosovo, and Denmark would join the qualified teams after being eliminated in the final playoff round. Italy's inclusion is notable as it has missed the last three World Cups. South America would gain Bolivia, Venezuela, and Peru, with Venezuela potentially making its World Cup debut. Asia would see the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Indonesia qualify, with Indonesia possibly appearing independently for the first time since 1938.

Africa's additional qualifiers would be Nigeria, Gabon, and Cameroon, all with significant football histories; Cameroon reached the 1990 quarterfinals, and Nigeria has appeared in six tournaments. North and Central America and the Caribbean would add Jamaica and Suriname, with Jamaica returning after its sole 1998 appearance and Suriname making its first-ever World Cup appearance. New Caledonia would also qualify for the first time under this expanded format.

Overall, the expansion would bring in a mix of former world champions, established football nations, and debutants, illustrating how increasing the tournament size could reshape the World Cup's competitive landscape and offer new opportunities to teams that narrowly missed qualification under the current 48-team format.