FIFA faces pressure to expand World Cup to 64 teams
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 24.09.25. | 23:11
South American leaders push for more places, but Europe says: "Too much, too soon"
The World Cup has never stopped growing - 16 teams until 1978, then 24, then 32. Next summer in the United States, Canada, and Mexico we'll see 48. But could 2030 bring an even bigger leap - all the way to 64?
That idea was on the table this week in New York. FIFA president Gianni Infantino sat down with South American leaders, who want the tournament opened up to more nations. Their pitch: let 64 teams in, and give CONMEBOL's ten members a guaranteed spot.
"For some people 48 teams is not enough!" 😮
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 24, 2025
Kaveh Solhekol on the pursuit from executives in South American football of a 64-team World Cup being back on after meeting with FIFA yesterday to present their proposals for an expanded tournament in 2030 🌍 pic.twitter.com/L4fwdZwOP5
But resistance is fierce. A FIFA insider told The Guardian: "Gianni wouldn't get the votes. Most continents believe 64 would hurt the World Cup. Too many weak games, too much risk for the brand."
The math is daunting. Qatar 2022 had 64 matches. The 2026 edition will explode to 104. A 64-team format? That's 128 games - more than double!
UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin called the idea "bad for football," while CONCACAF's Victor Montagliani added: "It just doesn't feel right."
Meanwhile, clubs are pushing for their own expansion. From 2029, the Club World Cup could jump from 32 to 48 teams, with Chelsea earning nearly €100m for winning this summer. FIFA has plenty on its plate.
The FIFA Council meets next month in Zurich, but insiders insist the 64-team World Cup won’t be on the agenda. For now, 2030's anniversary tournament - already split across six nations and three continents - seems set to stay at 48.
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