FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that a proposal to expand the men’s World Cup from 48 to 64 teams will be discussed after this year’s tournament, though no decision has been made. The idea, first floated by a FIFA Council member in March 2025, would turn the 2030 edition football’s centenary celebration, into a 128-match spectacle, double the 64-game format used from 1998 through 2022.

The push is not purely theoretical. CONMEBOL, South America’s governing body, has formally championed a 64-team format, arguing it would better reflect the global growth of the sport and likely guarantee all 10 South American nations a place at the finals. FIFA has acknowledged the proposal as part of its duty to consider any Council member’s suggestion, positioning the debate alongside broader discussions on the future of the World Cup, club competitions and qualification pathways.

Supporters say expansion would democratize access, reward emerging football nations and boost commercial returns through more matches, broadcast inventory and sponsorship opportunities. Critics, however, warn that a 64-team tournament risks diluting quality, extending the schedule and devaluing continental qualifying systems that already struggle for relevance on the world stage.

The logistics are formidable. A 64-team tournament would require additional host cities, venues and infrastructure, even if the 2030 edition is planned across multiple continents. It would also intensify pressure on players already stretched by longer seasons and expanded club competitions. Proponents counter that the centenary year justifies a one-off experiment, creating a historic celebration while testing whether football’s marquee event can scale without losing its competitive edge.

For now, Infantino has framed the discussion as forward-looking rather than a fait accompli. The next step is structured debate within FIFA’s Council after the 2026 World Cup, where members will weigh format options, qualification implications and financial projections. Whether 2030 becomes the year of 64 or remains at 48 will depend on whether the football world believes bigger truly means better or simply stretched too thin.

By: Addy Kennedy Edem