World Cup's Future: Infantino Hints at Further Expansion to 64 Teams
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Even as the expanded 2026 World Cup unfolds with 48 teams, FIFA President Gianni Infantino is already hinting at an even bigger spectacle: a 64-team tournament for future editions. Infantino confirmed that FIFA will formally discuss this possibility in its committees after 'this summer's tournament' concludes, primarily eyeing the 2030 World Cup, which marks the competition's centenary. The current 2026 World Cup in North America is the first to feature 48 teams, a significant jump from the previous 32-team format, increasing the total matches from 64 to 104. Infantino touts the 48-team format as a 'huge success', arguing it gives more nations a chance to compete and elevates global football quality. However, this latest hint revives concerns from major confederations like Concacaf and UEFA, whose presidents have previously voiced apprehension about 'match overload', player fatigue, and potential dilution of the tournament's quality, with a 64-team event nearly doubling the 2022 match count to 128 games. The proposal, initially floated by South American confederation CONMEBOL for the 2030 centenary event, sets the stage for potentially intense debates within the FIFA Council. While no timeline has been set for a decision, the prospect of further expansion for 2030 – already a multi-continental affair – means football fans, players, and host nations alike will be closely watching how the global game's biggest event continues to evolve.