**FIFA President Infantino Considers 64-Team Format for 2030 World Cup**
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced that the possibility of expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 tournament will be examined. This consideration comes on the heels of the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will be the first to feature 48 teams, an increase from the traditional 32-team format that had been in place since 1998.
In an interview with Swiss media outlet Bluewin, Infantino emphasized the importance of inclusivity in the World Cup, stating that the tournament should represent not just Europe and South America, but the entire globe. He expressed that every nation should have the opportunity to dream of participating in the World Cup, highlighting the growing quality of football across various countries.
Infantino remarked, "If you don’t give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they’ll lack the incentive to keep improving." This sentiment reflects FIFA's ongoing commitment to promoting football development worldwide, particularly in nations that have historically been underrepresented in the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is expected to be a landmark event, featuring a total of 48 teams competing in a total of 104 matches. Infantino has hailed this expansion as a "huge success," noting that teams from all continents have performed well, with every participating nation earning points during the tournament. He pointed out that nine out of ten African teams reached the knockout stage, a significant improvement compared to previous tournaments.
Looking ahead to the 2030 World Cup, which is set to be a multi-continent event, the tournament will kick off with matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. The remaining games are scheduled to take place in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. Infantino suggested that expanding the tournament to 64 teams could allow South American nations to host entire four-team groups, rather than just individual matches, thus enhancing their involvement in the tournament.
While discussions about the potential expansion will take place in relevant FIFA committees following the 2026 World Cup, the idea of a 64-team format is already generating interest among football stakeholders. This move could further democratize the tournament, providing more nations with the opportunity to compete on the world stage.
As FIFA prepares for the 2026 World Cup, the organization is also looking to the future, considering how best to structure the tournament to accommodate the growing number of competitive teams globally. The proposed expansion to 64 teams for the 2030 World Cup could be a significant step in that direction, reinforcing FIFA's mission to promote football as a universal sport.
The football community will be watching closely as FIFA deliberates on this potential expansion, with hopes that it will lead to an even more diverse and competitive World Cup in the years to come.