FIFA president Gianni Infantino has indicated that the governing body could examine a further expansion of the World Cup format ahead of the 2030 tournament, with the possibility of adding 16 more teams to take the field up to 64.
In an interview, Infantino said the idea of moving from 48 teams to 64 could be worth considering. He added that any discussion would take place through FIFA’s internal structures after the current World Cup cycle ends.
“That’s definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup,” he said.
Infantino framed the proposal around the broader goal of making the tournament truly global rather than concentrated in specific regions. He argued that a World Cup should be staged for the entire world, with every country having a real chance to aspire to qualification and participation. He also pointed to the rising level of competition across different continents, saying the quality of teams is increasing “all over the world.” In his view, excluding smaller nations from the biggest stage would reduce motivation for those countries to continue improving.
Historically, the World Cup featured 32 teams from 1998 through 2022. The upcoming 2026 edition will be the first to move to a 48-team format.
With the current tournament reaching its closing stages, only four teams remain: Argentina, England, France and Spain. From the original schedule of 104 matches—which took place in Canada, Mexico and across the United States—there are now just two semifinal ties and the final left to determine the champion.
Infantino described the 48-team setup as a “huge success.” He said every side competed at a high standard, with teams from every continent finding the net and taking at least one point. He also highlighted the performance of African teams, stating that nine out of 10 reached the knockout rounds, adding that the previous World Cup had only five African representatives. For him, those numbers underline the importance of including all teams and giving smaller countries the opportunity to participate.
Looking ahead to 2030, Infantino said the tournament is set to be a multi-continent event. The first three matches are scheduled in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay—one game per nation—before the remainder are staged in Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
If FIFA expands the competition to 64 teams, Infantino suggested the format could allow the South American hosts to each stage a four-team group, rather than hosting a single match.
