Infantino Keeps 64-Team World Cup Vision Alive

A Global Tournament on the Horizon

Infantino opens door to 64 team – Gianni Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, has signaled that plans for expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 participants will undergo thorough evaluation following the 2026 edition. The FIFA president emphasized that the premier football competition must serve as a truly global event rather than favoring specific continents. The concept of broadening the tournament was initially introduced during the previous year, and Infantino pointed to the positive reception of the recently expanded 48-team format as evidence that further growth remains viable.

Speaking with Swiss television network Blue Sport, the Italian administrator addressed questions regarding potential expansion. He noted that comprehensive discussions regarding the tournament’s future scope will commence once the current cycle concludes. According to Infantino, organizing the World Cup requires consideration of every corner of the globe, extending well beyond traditional strongholds in Europe and South America. He stressed that each nation worldwide deserves the opportunity to envision itself competing on football’s grandest stage.

“These are all issues that we will be examining after the World Cup,” Infantino explained regarding the potential for expansion.

Quality Rising Across Continents

The FIFA president highlighted the remarkable improvement in football standards worldwide, noting that competitive levels continue climbing across every continent. He argued that providing smaller nations with genuine participation opportunities creates essential motivation for continued development. Infantino praised the inaugural 48-team World Cup as a tremendous achievement, particularly pointing to the impressive performance of African teams. Nine out of ten African nations advanced to the knockout phase, a dramatic improvement compared to the five teams that reached that stage in the previous edition.

“At the last World Cup, there were only five teams from Africa,” he remarked. “That just goes to show how important it is to include all teams – to give them this opportunity to participate.”

Historical Context and Current Proposals

The FIFA Council formally endorsed the expansion from 32 to 48 teams back in 2017. More recently, Conmebol, South America’s football governing body, submitted an official proposal in April 2025 to elevate the 2030 tournament to 64 participants. While the proposal has been presented, no final determination has been made. The 2030 edition will primarily be shared among Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay hosting the opening three matches to honor the competition’s centenary. Uruguay notably organized the inaugural World Cup in 1930.

Mixed Reactions from Global Leaders

The 64-team concept has generated considerable debate among football’s leadership. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has been among the most vocal critics, characterizing the proposal as problematic for both the tournament structure and qualification pathways. Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, head of the Asian Football Confederation, echoed similar concerns, warning that additional expansion could create disorganization. Victor Montagliani, who leads CONCACAF, expressed reservations, suggesting the expansion might negatively impact the broader football landscape.

Conversely, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s World Cup task force, indicated that the United States might pursue hosting rights for the 2038 tournament and expressed confidence in managing a 64-team format. FIFA’s established position maintains that all expansion concepts will be reviewed through consultation with stakeholders, with the organization obligated to evaluate proposals submitted by council members. The ultimate authority rests with the FIFA Council, though no immediate decision appears forthcoming.

Hosting Challenges and Financial Benefits

When Infantino secured his position in 2016, his campaign platform included increasing the World Cup from 32 to 40 teams. Within twelve months, that target expanded to 48 teams, receiving council approval for implementation at the 2026 finals. Speculation about further growth has persisted continuously since that approval. While expansion to 48 teams for the 2022 tournament was considered, organizers determined that Qatar lacked the infrastructure to manage such a large event independently.

The hosting challenge intensifies with each expansion. The current tournament spans three nations across considerable geographic territory. The 2030 edition will feature matches across six countries, combining European and South American venues. Questions remain about Saudi Arabia’s capacity to accommodate 64 teams and 128 matches during the 2034 edition. Nevertheless, the expansion offers Infantino significant political advantages. A 64-team World Cup would enable nearly one-third of FIFA’s 211 affiliated nations to qualify, while simultaneously generating additional revenue streams for member associations worldwide.

“When organising a World Cup, it’s important to organise it for the whole world – not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire world. Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup.”