Fifa president Gianni Infantino has indicated that the possibility of expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams will be formally evaluated following the 2026 tournament. Infantino emphasized that the governing body aims to ensure the competition serves the entire globe, rather than concentrating influence solely within Europe and South America.
The concept of an expanded tournament gained traction after the positive reception of the initial 48-team format. Infantino noted that increasing participation offers smaller nations a vital incentive to improve, citing the recent success of African teams reaching the knockout stages as proof of the high global quality of football.
While Conmebol, the South American governing body, officially proposed the 64-team expansion in early 2025, no consensus has been reached. Several high-profile leaders, including Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin and Concacaf’s Victor Montagliani, have expressed skepticism, suggesting that further growth could disrupt the sport’s infrastructure and lead to logistical chaos.
Logistical hurdles remain significant, particularly regarding host capacity. As the tournament size increases, so does the strain on host nations, as evidenced by the multi-country arrangements for the 2030 event. Despite these concerns, an expanded format would likely increase revenue for member associations and provide a broader pathway for the 211 Fifa-affiliated nations to qualify for the global stage.
