Reports indicate that FIFA is not contemplating a further expansion of the World Cup format to 64 teams for its 2030 edition, which will also mark the centenary of the inaugural tournament held in 1930. Discussions about such an expansion reportedly occurred during a meeting in New York City between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez. The tournament has already undergone a significant expansion from 32 to 48 teams for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada – a format change not seen since 1998.
The 2030 World Cup is scheduled to take place across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with select celebratory matches also planned for Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to commemorate the tournament`s hundredth anniversary. Should FIFA approve a 64-team format, it would result in an unprecedented 128 matches played within a single month. However, sources cited by The Guardian suggest that FIFA is not considering this option, with one source stating: `Gianni would not get that vote through Council even if he wanted to. The overwhelming feeling around the table and not just in Europe is that 64 teams would damage the World Cup. There`d be too many uncompetitive matches and it would risk damaging the business model.`
The initial proposal for a 64-team World Cup was put forward in March 2025 by CONMEBOL and the Uruguayan delegate, recognizing Uruguay`s historical role as the host of the first World Cup. Such an expansion could potentially secure a spot for all ten CONMEBOL teams in the 2030 tournament, as Venezuela remains the only CONMEBOL nation never to have qualified for the final phase of football`s most prestigious event. Following the meeting, CONMEBOL President Dominguez posted on social media: `We believe in a historic 2030 World Cup! Thank enormous amount of money, an FIFA President Gianni Infantino, for welcoming us and sharing this journey toward the centennial of football`s greatest celebration. We want to call for unity, creativity, and believing big. Because when football is shared by everyone, the celebration is truly global.`
Argentina FA President Claudio `Chiqui` Tapia also shared his experience, stating: `I had the honor of being part of the FIFA summit, organized by Gianni Infantino, with the goal of starting to organize what will be the 2030 World Cup. It was truly a pleasure to have represented our country at this important meeting. We are family and we have done our part to request this meeting so our dream can become reality.`
