FIFA Considers Expanding World Cup to 64 Teams, Boosting Israel's Qualification Chances

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is pushing forward with the idea of expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams, a move that could significantly impact Israel's chances of qualifying for the tournament. The current 48-team format, introduced for the 2026 World Cup, was met with mixed reactions, but the success of the recent tournament, featuring stars like Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Lionel Messi, has not quelled discussions about further expansion.

Infantino recently stated that expanding to 64 teams would allow more countries worldwide to participate, giving smaller nations the incentive to improve. The proposal was initially raised by South American Football Confederation President Alejandro Dominguez in 2025, mainly to enable Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to host more matches during the 2030 World Cup celebrations. Currently, these countries are set to host only one match each, while Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will host the bulk of the tournament.

Opposition to the expansion comes primarily from UEFA and player organizations. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin called the idea "a bad one," arguing it would dilute the quality of qualification matches and extend the tournament schedule, further straining domestic leagues and players' health. Despite this, FIFA is expected to decide on the expansion soon to plan qualifiers and tournament structure, with a potential vote coinciding with the 2027 FIFA presidential election, where Infantino is favored to win again.

If the expansion proceeds, Europe is likely to gain additional slots beyond the current 16, possibly increasing to 20 or 24 teams. This would enhance Israel's chances of qualifying, given Europe's strong World Cup performance and political considerations compensating for its smaller increase in the previous expansion. The 64-team format could return to a simpler group stage structure with 16 groups of four teams, improving competitive fairness despite a longer tournament and potentially lower average match quality.

While the proposal remains uncertain due to resistance from European, Asian, and North/Central American federations, Infantino's strong support from African and South American associations and FIFA's record revenues from the 2026 World Cup strengthen his position. The football world awaits FIFA's final decision, which will shape the future of the World Cup and the opportunities for teams like Israel to participate on the global stage.