FIFA Considers Expansion to 64 Teams

In a move that could dramatically reshape football’s biggest tournament, FIFA is now seriously considering doubling the current World Cup format to 64 teams for the 2030 edition.

The idea came from Uruguayan Football Association president Ignacio Alonso, who introduced it during the “miscellaneous” section just as the meeting was wrapping up, catching many delegates completely off guard.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino didn’t dismiss the idea outright, as sources said he found it “interesting” and worth analyzing further, potentially setting the stage for the most dramatic expansion in World Cup history.

The timing is significant as 2030 marks exactly 100 years since the first World Cup, which was hosted in Uruguay.

We’ve already seen significant change coming for 2026, when the tournament expands to 48 teams across North America.

This new expansion will already increase the tournament matches from 64 to 104, so this new proposal would push things much further.

Imagine more than a quarter of all FIFA member nations qualifying for a single tournament, with 211 member associations.

This would transform what it means to reach the World Cup, particularly for smaller football nations.

The ripple effects would hit qualifying competitions hard, as in a continent like South America, for instance, seven out of ten teams can already qualify for 2026.

Further expansion might render their qualification process practically meaningless, plus a tournament this size would stretch at least six weeks, creating major headaches for domestic leagues and players.

The physical demands alone raise serious questions about athlete welfare and performance quality.

Global Football Politics at Play

Without a doubt, money plays a role in these choices because more teams imply more games, which means more money for FIFA’s coffers in the form of ticket sales, television rights, and marketing.

Political scheming is fierce behind closed doors as Infantino has developed connections with influential people throughout the world, including US President Donald Trump, who once referred to him as “the king of soccer.”

Since taking over in 2016 following FIFA’s corruption scandal, Infantino has repeatedly attempted to reshape global football.

His presidency has been marked by ambitious proposals and frequent clashes with traditional football powers.

There is also a clear continental division on this matter, as Asian, African, and Oceanic countries would welcome more qualifying seats for their regions, while European and South American countries prefer exclusivity.

Many national associations also profit greatly from qualifying matches, and they stand to lose if qualification becomes less competitive or appealing.

To football fans around the world, the 2030 World Cup might look drastically different from past years, and the biggest showcase for the beautiful game might never be the same.