The FIFA World Cup could be set for another historic shake-up, as football’s global governing body considers a one-off expansion to 64 teams for the 2030 edition.
The proposal to extend the number of teams participating submitted by South American football body CONMEBOL, aims to mark the tournament’s centenary with the biggest World Cup ever staged. If approved, the move would eclipse the upcoming 48-team format set to debut at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
During meetings at FIFA’s New York City headquarters inside Trump Tower, the FIFA president Gianni Infantino and general secretary Mattias Grafstrom received a number of politicians and football executives from Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay.
FIFA has acknowledged the proposal and promised to analyse its feasibility, but no final decision has been made. A 64-team tournament would mean more matches, a longer schedule, and potentially multiple hosts spread across different continents.
What did UEFA say about the proposal to increase the World Cup participants?
The plan faces strong opposition, particularly from UEFA. European football chief Aleksander Čeferin has criticised the proposal as “a bad idea,” warning that it could dilute the quality of the tournament, overload the international calendar, and create serious logistical headaches. CONCACAF leaders have also raised concerns about the impact on players, clubs, and the broader football ecosystem. With FIFA already preparing for its first 48-team World Cup in 2026, many argue that another expansion so soon would be too much, too fast.
For now, the 64-team concept remains under discussion, with FIFA expected to weigh the financial opportunities against sporting integrity and practical challenges. Whether the centenary World Cup becomes the biggest ever will depend on negotiations in the coming months—but the debate has already sparked global interest and controversy in equal measure.