FIFA president Gianni Infantino says the organization will formally examine expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams ahead of the 2030 tournament. FIFA isn’t done supersizing its flagship event.
According to The Athletic, Infantino confirmed that a 64-team format will be “examined and discussed in the relevant committees” once this summer’s 48-team World Cup wraps up.
The push follows a formal pitch from South American officials, with CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez calling the idea his “dream.”
The numbers are already dramatic: 2030 hosts span six countries and three continents, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay each staging one match before the bulk of games shift to Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
Infantino insists the current 48-team expansion has been “100 percent a success,” arguing smaller nations need a shot at qualifying to keep improving.Not everyone’s on board.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has already branded a 64-team field a “bad idea,” while CONCACAF’s Victor Montagliani called it “not a great idea.”
Critics warn it could gut regional qualifying and stretch an already sprawling tournament even thinner.
Infantino also confirmed Donald Trump will present the trophy at the World Cup final, per The Athletic’s reporting.
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