Imagine a World Cup where more than a quarter of the world's nations take part – 64 teams, stretching the tournament to nearly twice its current size. That is the possibility now being seriously floated by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who has said the idea will be examined after the 2026 tournament finishes.
Infantino told Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport that expanding the men's World Cup from 48 to 64 teams is "definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup". He argued that the tournament should be for "the whole world – not just Europe and South America" and that every nation should be allowed to dream of participating. The proposal was first formally put forward by South American football governing body Conmebol in April 2025, but no decision has been reached.
“Explaining the plan to expand the men's World Cup to 64 teams and what it would mean for football.”
The World Cup field has grown steadily over the decades. From 1998 to 2022 it stood at 32 teams, then expanded to 48 for the first time in 2026. Infantino has called the 48-team edition "a huge success", pointing out that nine out of 10 African teams reached the knockouts – compared with only five African teams at the previous tournament. However, opinions remain divided on whether more teams dilute quality or increase global participation.
For UK readers, a 64-team World Cup would have direct consequences. England's path to qualification would become easier – more spots would be available for Uefa, meaning less pressure in qualifying groups. But the tournament itself would balloon: 104 matches already in the 48-team format; a 64-team edition would require even more games, potentially affecting player fatigue and club schedules. There are also questions about how a 64-team tournament could be staged, especially given that the 2030 World Cup will already span six countries (Morocco, Portugal, Spain, plus Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay for the opening matches).
Q: Why does Gianni Infantino want a 64-team World Cup? Infantino says it would give smaller nations a realistic chance to qualify, incentivising them to develop their football. He argues that the quality of teams is rising globally and that excluding countries risks stunting their progress.
Q: Who opposes this expansion? Several powerful figures have voiced concerns. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin called it a "bad idea". Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said it would bring "chaos". Concacaf president Victor Montagliani said the move "doesn't feel right" and could damage the broader football ecosystem.
Q: When could a 64-team World Cup actually happen? No decision has been made. The earliest possible edition would be 2030, but that would require significant changes to the already-planned six-nation hosting structure. Fifa's official position is that it will discuss expansion ideas with stakeholders after the 2026 tournament. A bid for the 2038 World Cup has also been floated by US officials, who said they could "handle" a 64-team event.
What happens next depends on the outcome of discussions in Fifa's committees after the 2026 World Cup concludes. With Infantino pushing for expansion and continental presidents pushing back, the debate is only just beginning.