FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing a new proposal that suggests expanding the upcoming 2030 Men’s World Cup to a remarkable 64 teams, doubling the number set for the 2022 tournament. This notion emerged during a recent FIFA Council meeting held in Zurich, where representatives discussed the potential for transformative changes in the sport’s flagship event.
Currently, the World Cup is slated to expand to 48 teams for the first time in the 2026 tournament, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This significant growth is seen as a natural evolution of the tournament, aligning with history, yet many experts anticipated that the 48-team format would be the standard for at least a decade.
During the FIFA Council meeting on March 5, 2025, Ignacio Alonso, the president of Uruguay’s soccer federation, made a compelling case for a one-time expansion to 64 teams for the 2030 World Cup. Coinciding with the centennial of the inaugural tournament held in Uruguay in 1930, the proposal aims to celebrate this milestone in a monumental way.
The 2030 World Cup will take place in a historic setup, spanning across six countries and three continents. The tournament will kick off in Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina, before moving on to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. These countries are expected to manage a significant portion of the games, with preparations already posing challenges given the logistics involved.
Expanding the competition to 64 teams raises numerous logistical considerations. A tournament of this size would likely result in 128 matches, necessitating a high level of coordination among host countries, which can be a daunting task. The ongoing preparations for the 2026 World Cup are already complex, and concerns over transportation networks and local infrastructures are growing.
The 64-team model provides a clean structure, with 16 groups of four teams, advancing to a knockout stage involving 32 teams. This model is seen as preferable to the current 48-team format, which could present operational difficulties for organizing bodies.
Alonso’s proposal caught many members of the FIFA Council by surprise, as he presented it in English during the virtual meeting attended by 37 council members. Infantino described the suggestion as intriguing, indicating that it would be worth further exploration. There’s speculation that Infantino might have discussed this idea with Alonso prior to its official presentation.
Infantino, who has been serving as FIFA president since 2016, has consistently advocated for expanding tournaments and introducing new ones. This strategy has helped FIFA boost its revenues, which are essential to funding initiatives for FIFA’s 211 member associations. Infantino’s continued push for growth in competitions has made him a noteworthy figure in the football world.
While the proposal for the 2030 World Cup expansion is still in its early stages, FIFA has not provided specific timelines or mechanisms for how the matter will be studied further. At the same time, the organization is also considering extending the Women’s World Cup to 48 teams for the 2031 edition. This move comes just two tournaments after the women’s tournament expanded from 24 to 32 teams.
With all the developments regarding the World Cup and its potential expansions, the global football community is watching closely. The discussions bring hope for a more inclusive spirit in the tournament, allowing more nations to participate on the world stage. Balancing the excitement of expansion with logistical feasibility will undoubtedly be a considerable challenge for FIFA, as the organization prepares for the 2030 event that combines a rich heritage with future ambitions.
As the conversation continues, football fans across the globe remain eager to see how FIFA will navigate these proposed changes, which have the potential to reshape the World Cup experience for players and enthusiasts alike.
