FIFA President Hints at Further World Cup Expansion to 64 Teams
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has indicated that the men’s World Cup could expand to 64 teams, a proposal that will be reviewed following the 2026 tournament. Infantino emphasized the importance of global inclusivity, stating that the event should cater to the entire world, not just traditional football powerhouses like Europe and South America.
The idea for a 64-team World Cup was initially put forth by South American governing body Conmebol in April 2025 for the 2030 edition. Infantino, speaking to Swiss media outlets Blue Sport and Bluewin, highlighted the “huge success” of the current 48-team expansion, noting that nine out of ten African teams advanced to the knockout stages. This success, he believes, demonstrates the rising quality of teams worldwide and the need to offer more nations the incentive to improve through participation.
The World Cup expanded from 32 teams (a format from 1998 to 2022) to 48 for the 2026 event. Infantino’s comments suggest that officials will now consider an additional increase of 16 teams. He reiterated that every nation should have the opportunity to aspire to play in the World Cup, underscoring that every team in the expanded 48-team format played at a high level, with teams from all continents scoring goals and earning at least one point.
The 2030 World Cup is set to be primarily hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with the opening three matches held in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to mark the tournament’s centenary. A decision on a further expansion to 64 teams has not yet been reached, but discussions are set to take place in relevant committees after the 2026 event.
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