FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that football’s governing body will examine the possibility of expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams after the conclusion of the 2026 tournament, raising the prospect of another major overhaul ahead of the 2030 edition.
Speaking to Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport, Infantino said the success of the first-ever 48-team World Cup had demonstrated the growing quality of teams from every continent. He argued that the tournament should represent “the whole world” and give more nations the opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage.
A 64-team World Cup would increase the competition from the current 48 teams and could feature 128 matches, compared with the 104 games being played at the 2026 tournament. FIFA has not made a formal decision, with Infantino stressing that discussions will take place after the current World Cup concludes.
The proposal has already sparked debate across world football. Supporters say it would improve global representation, while critics, including UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, have warned that further expansion could dilute the tournament’s quality and place additional strain on players and the football calendar.