FIFA President Gianni Infantino has revealed that football’s global governing body is considering a further expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams ahead of the 2030 tournament. The event, which expanded to 48 teams for the 2026 edition, could undergo another major format shift to accommodate more nations from across the globe.
An Inclusive Vision for Global Football
Speaking to Swiss media outlet Bluewin, Infantino explained that the proposal to grow the tournament from 48 to 64 teams will be formally analyzed. “That’s definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees,” Infantino said, emphasizing the importance of making the World Cup a truly global event rather than one dominated solely by European and South American powerhouses.
According to the FIFA president, giving smaller nations a pathway to the world stage is crucial for the sport’s overall development. He noted that without the realistic dream of participating in the World Cup, smaller countries lack the necessary incentives to invest in their football programs and continue improving.
Reflecting on the Success of Expansion
The World Cup maintained a steady 32-team format from 1998 through 2022. While the jump to 48 teams for 2026 was initially met with some skepticism, Infantino declared the expansion a resounding success. He pointed to the rising quality of play and increased competitiveness across all continents as proof that the expansion was justified.
To support his view, Infantino highlighted the stellar performance of African nations under the expanded format, where nine out of ten African teams successfully progressed to the knockout rounds. In comparison, only five African teams qualified for the tournament under the previous 32-team structure.
Implications for the Multi-Continent 2030 World Cup
The 2030 World Cup is already set to be an unprecedented event, spanning multiple continents. The current plans involve Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay hosting one opening match each to celebrate the centenary of the tournament, while the rest of the matches will be staged across Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.
If FIFA approves the transition to a 64-team tournament, it could significantly alter the logistics for the 2030 hosts. Instead of hosting just a single match, the South American nations could potentially host entire four-team groups, bringing more high-stakes football to the region.