FIFA Considers Expanding 2030 World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the organization will evaluate a proposal to expand the men's World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 tournament. The announcement follows the successful implementation of the 48-team format during the 2026 competition, which FIFA officials credit with increasing global participation and competitive parity.

The expansion proposal, championed by the South American football confederation CONMEBOL, aims to mark the tournament's centenary with a more inclusive field. While FIFA has not formally endorsed the plan, the governing body is obligated to review submissions from its council members. A 64-team structure could potentially involve 16 groups of four, resulting in 128 total matches.

The initiative faces significant resistance from European and Asian football leadership. Critics, including UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, argue that further expansion would lead to calendar congestion, diminished match quality, and excessive physical strain on players. No timeline has been established for a final decision, which would require approval from the FIFA Council.