The World Cup could expand to 64 teams after FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed that the proposal will be considered by the governing body.
The 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico is the first edition to feature 48 countries, an increase from the 32-team format used between 1998 and 2022. No decision has yet been made on another expansion.
Infantino confirms FIFA will discuss proposal
According to an exclusive interview with Blue Sport, Infantino believes the expanded tournament has demonstrated that more countries can compete at World Cup level.
Asked about increasing the field to 64 teams, he said:
Read also: Mbappé fit for Spain clash as France manage defensive duo
“That is certainly something that will be examined after this World Cup and discussed within FIFA’s governing bodies.”
Infantino argued that the tournament should represent every continent and give smaller footballing nations a realistic ambition of reaching the sport’s largest stage. He also maintained that playing standards were improving around the world.
FIFA president defends 48-team format
Infantino described the 48-team competition as a major success and rejected suggestions that adding more nations had weakened the overall standard.
He pointed to competitive performances across the confederations, highlighting that teams from every continent had scored goals and collected points. Nine of Africa’s ten representatives also reached the knockout rounds, compared with five African participants at the previous World Cup.
Read also: Bellingham joins Maradona in World Cup history with back-to-back braces
FIFA had already defended the expansion earlier in the tournament, with its official review of the opening stages stating that results and performances had justified increasing the field from 32 to 48 teams.
The 64-team idea is not new
The proposal predates the current World Cup. As reported by Blue News in March 2025, the idea was raised by a Uruguayan representative during a FIFA Council meeting.
FIFA said at the time that it was obliged to examine proposals submitted by members of its Council, although the suggestion reportedly received a cautious initial reaction.
Infantino’s latest comments go further by confirming that the possibility will be formally discussed once the 2026 tournament has finished. However, any change would still require approval through FIFA’s decision-making bodies.
Read also: Infantino faces calls for resignation over "scandalous" World Cup disciplinary decisions
Expansion could affect the 2030 World Cup
The most immediate candidate for a 64-team format would be the 2030 World Cup, although FIFA has not confirmed which edition could be affected.
Morocco, Portugal and Spain have been appointed as the principal hosts, while Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will each stage one centenary match marking 100 years since the first World Cup.
According to FIFA’s official announcement of the hosts, all six countries will qualify automatically for the tournament.
Expanding the competition to 64 teams would add another 16 nations to a tournament that has already grown significantly. Questions over the number of matches, the qualification system and the length of the competition would therefore need to be resolved before any proposal could be approved.
Read also: Barcelona set club record with 10 players in World Cup semi-finals
For now, the 48-team format remains FIFA’s official model. Infantino has nevertheless made clear that the organisation is prepared to consider making its flagship competition larger once again.
Read also: ‘I actually get angry’: Rolf Sørensen hits back at Vingegaard criticism
