FIFA Considers Expanding 2030 World Cup to 64 Teams
FIFA President Gianni Infantino says the governing body will examine expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, following the debut of the 48-team format.
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FIFA is considering a further expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, President Gianni Infantino confirmed. The proposal comes as the current 48-team tournament is underway and being assessed as a success.
Infantino made the remarks during the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, according to Al Jazeera. He stated that FIFA will formally examine the possibility of doubling the original 32-team format, saying the enlarged tournament has met expectations so far.
The expansion to 48 teams was approved in 2017 and implemented for the 2026 tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Now, Infantino suggests an additional expansion could follow if feasibility and logistical assessments support it. "We might expand the World Cup to 64 teams," he said, as reported by Vanguard News.
No final decision has been made. Any move to 64 teams would require approval from FIFA’s Council and must address concerns over scheduling, player workload, and tournament integrity. The discussions are part of FIFA’s broader strategy to increase global participation in the sport.
The 2030 World Cup is set to be hosted across six countries on three continents, marking the centenary of the tournament. Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will co-host the opening matches, while Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will host the remainder of the event.