FIFA Chief Gianni Infantino Addresses Possibility of 64-Team Men’s World Cup
Gianni Infantino says a future FIFA Men’s World Cup could expand to 64 teams, after the 2026 edition grew to 48 nations and 104 matches.
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Gianni Infantino (Image/BBC)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that football’s governing body will discuss expanding the FIFA Men’s World Cup to 64 teams after the conclusion of the 2026 tournament.
The 2026 edition, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams instead of the previous 32. The expanded format also increased the total number of matches from 64 to 104.
Speaking to Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport, Infantino said FIFA’s relevant committees will examine the possibility of another expansion, arguing that more nations should have the opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage.
That’s definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup. When you organize a World Cup, it’s important to organize 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…If you don’t give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they’ll lack the incentive to keep improving.
Gianni Infantino said via Blue Sport
A 64-team tournament would further increase the size of the competition. Reports indicate such a format would feature 128 matches, compared with the 104 games being played under the current 48-team structure.
The proposal follows a positive reception to the expanded 2026 tournament, which has seen several emerging football nations like Cape Verde make notable appearances while attracting strong attendance and television audiences throughout the competition.
An expansion proposal could be considered for the 2030 Centennial FIFA World Cup
The idea of expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams first emerged in 2025 when officials from FIFA and South American football governing body CONMEBOL raised the possibility ahead of the tournament’s centennial edition.
CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez has publicly supported the proposal, which could be considered for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The 2030 tournament will primarily be hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. As part of celebrations marking 100 years since the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930, the opening matches are also scheduled to be played in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
The proposal, however, has not received unanimous backing. UEFA president and FIFA vice president Aleksander Ceferin previously opposed the idea, calling it “a bad idea” for both the World Cup and its qualification process. Reports have also noted opposition from the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF.
No decision has been made on expanding the tournament beyond 48 teams. FIFA has confirmed only that the proposal will be reviewed by its committees after the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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