FIFA Considers Expanding World Cup to 64 Teams Post-2026

New Delhi, India Jul 13, 2026 ALN: Plans for a 64-team men's World Cup are set to be assessed after the 2026 tournament, with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino saying the event needs to be "for the whole world".

The proposal for an expanded tournament was put forward last year, and Infantino says the success of the expanded 48-team tournament means FIFA should look at how a 64-team World Cup could work.

"These are all issues that we will be examining after the World Cup," Infantino told Swiss broadcaster Blue when asked if the tournament could grow to 64 teams.

"When organising a World Cup, it's important to organise it for the whole world - not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire world. Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup.

"You can see that the quality of the teams is extremely high, and it's getting higher and higher, all over the world. If you don't give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they'll lack the incentive to keep improving."

Infantino said that the first 48-team World Cup has been "a huge success", citing the progression of nine out of ten African teams to the knockout stages.

"At the last World Cup, there were only five teams from Africa," he said. "That just goes to show how important it is to include all teams - to give them this opportunity to participate."

The FIFA council approved the expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams in 2017. This decision marked a significant shift in FIFA's approach to the tournament, reflecting a desire to make the event more inclusive and representative of global . The change was widely discussed, with proponents arguing that it would allow more nations to showcase their talent on the world stage, while critics raised concerns about the potential dilution of quality.

An official proposal to boost the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams was put forward by South American governing body Conmebol in April 2025, but no decision has been reached. The 2030 edition will be mainly co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with the three opening matches to be hosted by Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to celebrate the centenary of the competition. Uruguay hosted the first World Cup in 1930, making this upcoming tournament a particularly symbolic occasion.

However, the proposal for a 64-team tournament has not been universally welcomed. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin is among those to have dismissed the 64-team proposal, with the Slovenian saying it is a "bad idea" for both the tournament itself and the qualifying process. Ceferin's concerns reflect a broader apprehension among some leaders regarding the integrity and competitiveness of the tournament. He argues that expanding the tournament could lead to a scenario where the quality of matches diminishes, as teams with lesser ing histories might struggle to compete against more established nations.

Asian Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa agreed, stating that further expansion would bring "chaos". His comments highlight the logistical and organizational challenges that could arise from such a significant increase in the number of participating teams. The complexities of scheduling, venue management, and ensuring a fair and competitive tournament could become overwhelming as the scale of the event grows.

Victor Montagliani, president of the governing body for North and Central America and the Caribbean (Concacaf), expressed similar reservations, stating that the suggestion "doesn't feel right" and he believes the expansion would damage "the broader ecosystem". Montagliani's perspective underscores the potential ramifications of expansion on the existing infrastructure, including the impact on domestic leagues and player welfare.

On the other hand, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House's World Cup task force, indicated that the United States could consider making a bid to host the 2038 World Cup and would be able to "handle it" if expanded to 64 teams. This optimism reflects a growing trend among some nations to embrace the idea of hosting larger tournaments, which they believe could bring economic benefits and increased global visibility.

FIFA's official position has always been that it will discuss expansion ideas with stakeholders, emphasizing its duty to consider any proposals from council members. The FIFA council would make the ultimate decision, but there are no signs it is something expected to happen imminently. This cautious approach suggests that while FIFA is open to exploring the idea of expansion, it is also mindful of the complexities and potential drawbacks involved.

Expansion Would Pose Challenges for Hosts

When Infantino was first elected in 2016, part of his manifesto was to increase the size of the World Cup from 32 teams to 40. This ambitious goal was indicative of a broader vision to enhance the global appeal of , allowing more nations to participate in the 's premier event.

In less than a year, that rose to 48 and was approved by the FIFA council, effective from the 2026 finals. This rapid progression highlights FIFA's willingness to adapt and respond to the evolving landscape of international , but it also raises questions about the sustainability of such growth.

Since then, speculation has never gone away that FIFA would like to go further and faster. The prospect of a 64-team tournament has been discussed in various forums, with advocates arguing that it would further democratize the World Cup and provide opportunities for countries that have historically struggled to qualify.

Going up to 48 teams for the 2022 finals was discussed, but it was accepted that Qatar would not be able to host a tournament of that size on its own. This situation exemplifies the logistical challenges that accompany an expanded tournament, as the host nation must have the infrastructure, facilities, and resources to accommodate a larger number of teams and matches.

And this is the issue – the bigger the World Cup becomes, the more challenging it is to host. This year, the tournament is set to take place in three countries across a vast area, which presents its own set of complications in terms of travel, scheduling, and fan experience. In 2030, matches will be played in six countries – Morocco, Portugal, Spain, plus Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay as centenary hosts. The coordination required for such a multi-nation event is immense, and there are concerns about whether all host countries can effectively manage their responsibilities.

Just how Saudi Arabia would be able to cope with a 64-team tournament, featuring 128 games, in 2034 is unknown. The nation has made significant investments in s infrastructure and has expressed a desire to host major international events, but the scale of a 64-team World Cup would test even the most prepared nations.

Yet it is a great vote winner for Infantino on two counts. Firstly, it gives more countries the chance to play at a World Cup. Indeed, a 64-team World Cup would see almost a third of the 211 FIFA-affiliated countries qualify, which could lead to a more diverse and vibrant tournament. This inclusivity aligns with FIFA's stated mission to promote globally and to engage nations that are typically underrepresented on the world stage.

A bigger World Cup also means more revenue to be distributed to the member associations. The financial implications of expanding the tournament are significant, as increased participation can lead to higher ticket sales, greater media rights income, and expanded sponsorship opportunities. This influx of revenue could be crucial for the development of in emerging nations, providing them with the resources needed to invest in their programs and infrastructure.

In conclusion, while the idea of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams post-2026 presents exciting possibilities for inclusivity and revenue generation, it also raises important questions about the logistical, organizational, and competitive challenges that such a move would entail. As FIFA prepares to assess these proposals, the global community will be watching closely to see how the organization balances its ambitions with the realities of hosting one of the world's largest ing events.