Infantino Signals Major Shift: World Cup Could Expand to 64 Teams, Shaking Up Global Football Landscape
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has recently stated publicly that after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, the governing body will formally put on the agenda the possibility of expanding the men's World Cup from 48 to 64 teams. Infantino emphasized that football's premier global event should open its doors wider to more nations, giving every country the right to chase the dream of reaching this stage.
The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the first to feature 48 teams, but an even more ambitious expansion blueprint is already taking shape. When asked by the media about the feasibility of a 64-team tournament, Infantino acknowledged that this would certainly become a key topic for discussion and evaluation by the relevant committees after the tournament. He pointed out that the World Cup cannot belong only to Europe and South America, but should embrace the globe, granting every nation the right and aspiration to participate.
In Infantino's view, the overall competitive level of participating teams is continuously improving, with notable progress in footballing strength across the world. If weaker sides are not given the chance to appear on the big stage, they may lose the drive to keep moving forward. The idea of a 64-team format was first floated by CONMEBOL in March 2025, with the target set on the 2030 World Cup — coinciding with the tournament's centenary — as the opportunity to complete the expansion. In September 2025, Infantino met in New York with CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez, the presidents of the Argentine and Uruguayan football associations, as well as the presidents of Paraguay and Uruguay, to discuss the proposal.
Domínguez said at the time that the 2030 World Cup would carry historic significance, calling on all parties to work together in unity, pursue innovation and embrace bold visions, arguing that only when football is shared by all humanity can the celebration truly achieve global status. However, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani expressed opposition to the media, saying that expanding the men's World Cup to 64 teams would be unwise both for the tournament itself and for the entire football ecosystem — including national teams, club competitions, leagues and players. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin had previously described the idea as a "terrible idea."
If the proposal is approved, a 64-team World Cup would produce 128 matches — double the number of games under the 32-team format used from 1998 to 2022.