FIFA Considering Proposal to Expand 2030 Men’s World Cup to 64 Teams
FIFA is contemplating a proposal to increase the size of the 2030 men’s World Cup to 64 teams, which is double the size of the 2022 tournament and previous editions. This potential expansion would mark a significant shift in the tournament’s historical growth trajectory.
Currently, the World Cup is set to expand to 48 teams for the first time in 2026. However, the idea of eventually expanding to 64 teams has been looming, with the expectation that 48-team fields would be the norm for at least a decade or two.
During a recent FIFA council meeting, the president of Uruguay’s soccer federation presented a one-off expansion proposal for the 2030 World Cup, commemorating the event’s 100th anniversary. The tournament is planned to be hosted across six countries and three continents, starting in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, then moving to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
An expanded World Cup to 64 teams would present logistical challenges for the host countries, including strain on transport networks and local facilities. Despite the potential benefits of a more structured format with 16 groups of four teams and a 32-team knockout stage, the increased number of matches would require careful planning.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed interest in studying the proposal further, indicating a willingness to explore new opportunities for expanding competitions and generating additional revenue for FIFA and its member associations. The origin of the proposal remains unclear, but FIFA has committed to analyzing any suggestions from council members.
While the specifics of how the proposal will be evaluated and when a decision will be made are still uncertain, FIFA is also considering expanding the Women’s World Cup to 48 teams in 2031. These potential changes signify a new era of growth and evolution for international football tournaments.