FIFA is evaluating a proposal to expand the 2030 Men’s World Cup to 64 teams, a move that would allow more than a quarter of its 211 member associations to participate. The idea was introduced during a FIFA Council meeting on March 5, 2025, reportedly by Ignacio Alonso, president of the Uruguayan Football Association. Uruguay is set to be one of three South American nations hosting a centenary celebration match in 2030. FIFA President Gianni Infantino agreed to explore the proposal further.
FIFA’s Stance on Expansion
A FIFA spokesperson confirmed that the organization has a responsibility to consider all council member requests. “A proposal to analyze a 64-team FIFA World Cup to celebrate the centenary of the FIFA World Cup in 2030 was spontaneously raised by a FIFA council member near the end of the FIFA Council meeting,” the spokesperson stated. “The idea was acknowledged as FIFA has a duty to analyze any proposal from one of its council members.”
Infantino’s Push for Expansion
Since taking office in 2016, Infantino has championed the expansion of FIFA’s flagship tournament. Although an earlier proposal for a biennial World Cup was scrapped, the 2026 tournament in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico will expand from 32 to 48 teams, increasing the number of matches from 64 to 104.
The 2030 World Cup is set to be hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with special centenary matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. Expanding the tournament to 64 teams would pose significant logistical challenges, likely extending the duration to at least six weeks. Environmental concerns, including the event’s carbon footprint, are also expected to become more prominent.
Global Impact of a 64-Team World Cup
The proposed expansion has triggered mixed reactions across different footballing regions. In South America, an increase in participating teams could eliminate the need for traditional qualifying rounds, potentially impacting the revenue streams of national associations that rely on those matches. In contrast, UEFA could see nearly half of its 55 member nations qualifying, reshaping the competitive landscape of European football.
For Asia, Africa, and Oceania, an expanded World Cup could be a game-changer, offering more nations the opportunity to compete on the global stage for the first time. The inclusion of additional teams would likely boost the international appeal of the tournament and generate increased revenue for FIFA.
As FIFA continues to assess the feasibility of a 64-team World Cup, the football world awaits further developments on whether the centenary edition of the sport’s most prestigious tournament will see an unprecedented expansion.
