FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the world football governing body is reviewing a proposal to expand the 2030 FIFA World Cup to an unprecedented 64 teams, a move that could reshape the biggest football tournament in history.
The proposal, which is currently under consideration, comes as FIFA continues to explore ways of making the World Cup more inclusive by giving more nations the opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will already mark a significant expansion from 32 to 48 teams. However, the latest proposal goes even further, suggesting a 64-team competition for the tournament celebrating the World Cup’s centenary in 2030.
According to Gianni Infantino, FIFA has a responsibility to carefully evaluate every proposal submitted by its member associations. While no final decision has been made, he emphasized that the governing body is studying the idea as part of its commitment to the continued development of global football.
Supporters of the proposal argue that expanding the tournament would provide more opportunities for emerging football nations, increase global participation, and promote the sport in regions that have traditionally struggled to qualify for the World Cup.
However, critics have expressed concerns that a 64-team tournament could create scheduling challenges, increase travel demands, place additional pressure on players, and potentially reduce the overall competitiveness of the competition.
The 2030 FIFA World Cup is already set to be a landmark edition as it commemorates 100 years since the inaugural World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930. The tournament will primarily be hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, while Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay are expected to stage the opening celebratory matches as part of the centenary celebrations.
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If approved, the expansion would represent the largest World Cup in history and further reinforce FIFA’s efforts to broaden football’s global reach. Football fans, national associations, and stakeholders around the world are expected to closely follow FIFA’s discussions before any official decision is announced.
