Infantino Advocates for World Cup Expansion to 64 Teams
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is championing the idea of expanding the FIFA World Cup to 64 teams. He argues that enhancing inclusivity is essential, ensuring that every nation has a plausible chance to compete on the global stage.
Following the successful introduction of 48 teams in the recent World Cup, Infantino affirmed that FIFA is considering further increasing the number of participating countries, hinting at new proposals that may emerge in the future.
In an interview with Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport, Infantino was asked about the potential for a 64-team competition. He responded, “This is definitely an issue that will be considered and discussed by the relevant committees after this World Cup.”
He emphasized that the World Cup should represent virtually all regions of the world, rather than being exclusive to Europe or South America. Every nation should be allowed to aspire to participate in such a prestigious event. Infantino stressed that if smaller countries are not given the opportunity to compete, they may lack the motivation to develop their soccer programs further.
Success of the 48-Team Format
Infantino characterized the expanded tournament as a monumental success, particularly highlighting the progress made by emerging soccer nations in Africa. He noted that the previous World Cup featured only five African players. Remarkably, nine out of ten African teams managed to qualify for the finals.
“This underscores the necessity of including all teams and allowing them the chance to participate,” Infantino remarked, showcasing FIFA’s ongoing commitment to global representation. The transition from 32 to 48 teams was officially approved in 2017, and this new format is set to debut in the 2026 World Cup.
Proposal for 64 Teams Gaining Traction
The formal proposal for expanding the tournament to 64 teams was submitted by the South American football governing body, CONMEBOL, in April 2025, as part of the Centenary Plan for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The upcoming tournament will see a collaborative effort among Spain, Portugal, and Morocco as hosts, with Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay slated to host the opening match, commemorating the inaugural World Cup held in Uruguay in 1930.
While no official decisions have been made, Infantino indicated that FIFA has a responsibility to review member associations’ proposals before making recommendations to the Executive Board.
Divided Opinions Among Soccer Coaches
Nevertheless, the proposal for a 64-team format has faced significant opposition from several football leaders across continents. UEFA President Alexander Ceferin described the larger tournament as a “bad idea” for both the competition and its qualification processes.
Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa expressed concerns that an expansion could lead to “disruption,” while Concacaf President Victor Montagliani remarked that revisiting the size of the competition might be inappropriate and could adversely affect the broader soccer ecosystem.
Despite these reservations, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s World Cup Task Force, stated that a 64-team tournament could be feasible if the United States bids for the 2038 World Cup. Although FIFA has not indicated an imminent expansion, Infantino’s commentary suggests a willingness to reevaluate the tournament format in light of the commercial and sporting successes anticipated for the 2026 World Cup.
