World Cup with 64 teams: FIFA is considering the proposal

World 24 September 2025 at 09:36

Joshua SOSSOU

News Editor

While next summer, the World Cup will feature 48 teams, FIFA is now contemplating expanding to 64 participating countries for the 2030 edition.

According to The Athletic, FIFA is currently discussing a 2030 World Cup with 16 additional nations. On paper, Gianni Infantino is always ready to shake up the format to maximize revenue, but the American outlet reports that this idea did not originate with world football’s governing body.

In fact, in recent hours, a South American delegation—including the heads of state of Paraguay and Uruguay, top CONMEBOL officials (including president Alejandro Dominguez), and the presidents of the Argentine, Paraguayan, and Uruguayan football federations (Chiqui Tapia, Robert Harrison, and Nacho Alonso)—visited FIFA’s New York headquarters located in Trump Tower. This South American contingent asked FIFA to study the feasibility of a 64-team World Cup in 2030 to mark the centenary of the tournament. Will FIFA be receptive to this bold proposal?

As a reminder, the 2030 World Cup will be a historic first for football, as it will be staged across three continents (America, Europe, and Africa) and six different countries.