FIFA Considers Expanding World Cup to 64 Teams

FIFA President Gianni Infantino suggested that the organization will consider increasing the World Cup size to 64 nations following the completion of the 2026 Men's World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico and will feature an expanded format of 48 teams. Infantino emphasized that expanding the tournament would allow more countries, especially smaller nations, to participate in the World Cup, which has traditionally been a challenge for them.

Alejandro Dominguez, the head of CONMEBOL, has proposed this expansion concept as part of a broader vision for the 2030 Centenary Tournament in South American football. Despite the positive outlook on the expansion, there are concerns from UEFA regarding the impact on the football calendar, as the increase in the number of games could rise from 104 in 2026 to 128 if the tournament expands to 64 teams.