Infantino proposes assessing 64-team World Cup after 2026 tournament
10 reported
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has suggested that the feasibility of expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams should be examined after the 2026 tournament. Speaking to Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport, Infantino said the success of the first 48-team World Cup indicates FIFA should consider how a larger format could work. He argued that the event should be “for the whole world” and that giving smaller nations a chance to participate provides incentive for improvement. The proposal for a 64-team tournament was initially put forward by South American governing body CONMEBOL in April 2025 for the 2030 edition, but no decision has been reached. Several football officials, including UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, have criticized the idea. Infantino noted that the 48-team expansion was approved by the FIFA Council in 2017 and that the current tournament has seen nine out of 10 African teams reach the knockout stages.
What’s reported
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said plans for a 64-team men’s World Cup will be assessed after the 2026 tournament.
The proposal was put forward by CONMEBOL in April 2025 for the 2030 World Cup, but no decision has been reached.
Infantino stated the 48-team World Cup has been “a huge success,” citing nine of 10 African teams advancing to the knockout stages.
The FIFA Council approved the expansion from 32 to 48 teams in 2017.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin called the 64-team proposal a “bad idea.”
AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said further expansion would bring “chaos.”
CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani said the suggestion “doesn’t feel right” and would damage the broader football ecosystem.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s World Cup task force, said the United States could consider a bid to host the 2038 World Cup and could handle a 64-team tournament.
The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with opening matches in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
A 64-team World Cup would see almost a third of FIFA’s 211 member associations qualify.
Key figures
Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA President
Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, AFC President
Victor Montagliani, CONCACAF President
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s World Cup task force
Sources: BBC News
