FIFA President Hints at Expanding World Cup to 64 Teams

The 2026 FIFA World Cup marked a milestone by featuring 48 teams, surpassing the previous 32-team format. Now, FIFA President Gianni Infantino suggests the tournament could expand further, potentially reaching 64 teams in future editions.

Expansion Discussions Underway

In a recent interview with Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport, Infantino spoke about the possibility of increasing the number of participating nations. "This is an issue that will be examined and debated by the relevant committees after this World Cup," he said, as reported by ESPN. He emphasized that the World Cup should represent the entire globe, not just traditional football strongholds like Europe and South America. Allowing more countries to join keeps smaller nations motivated to develop their football programs.

CONMEBOL's Vision for 2030

Earlier, in March 2025, the South American confederation CONMEBOL proposed expanding the World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, which celebrates the tournament's 100th anniversary. CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez called for unity and bold thinking, stating, "When football is shared by everyone, the celebration is truly global."

What Would a 64-Team Tournament Look Like?

A jump to 64 teams would significantly increase the number of matches played. The previous 32-team format, used from 1998 through 2022, featured 64 games. The 2026 tournament with 48 teams will have 104 matches. Expanding to 64 teams would lead to 128 matches.

This larger field could simplify progression to the knockout rounds. Currently, some third-place teams advance based on tiebreakers. In a 64-team setup, only the top two teams from each group would move forward, removing the need for third-place qualifications.