FIFA Explores 64-Team Expansion for Historic 2030 World Cup

FIFA is contemplating an expansion of the 2030 World Cup to include 64 teams, spurred by a proposal during a recent meeting. This move follows an increase to 48 teams for the 2026 tournament and aims to mark the centennial of the prestigious event.

FIFA, the international governing body for soccer, is currently evaluating a proposal to expand the number of teams in the upcoming 2030 World Cup to 64. This plan aims to commemorate the centenary of the tournament and was brought forward by a representative from Uruguay, Ignacio Alonso, during a “miscellaneous” discussion segment at a recent FIFA meeting. This initiative has garnered considerable interest from FIFA President Gianni Infantino amid past scrutiny regarding transparency and governance, particularly after the controversial decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.

The World Cup is not only the most prestigious event in soccer but also the most lucrative, generating trillions in revenue. The 2030 tournament is expected to be notably complex, as it will be hosted across three continents: South America, Europe, and Africa, marking a first in the tournament's long history. Following Infantino's prior decision to expand the field from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 event, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, stakeholders anticipate potential logistical challenges that a further increase could bring.

The approval process for the 64-team proposal could still face hurdles, as debates around tournament integrity and the logistics of such a large event are expected to surface. Nonetheless, if executed, this expansion is set to significantly transform the structure and viewing experience of one of the world’s most watched sporting events.