FIFA President Gianni Infantino dropped a big hint on July 12: the organization’s committees will consider expanding the men’s World Cup from its current 48-team format to 64 teams in time for the 2030 tournament. The reasoning is straightforward. More slots mean more countries get a seat at the table, particularly smaller nations that have historically watched from the sidelines.
What the expansion actually looks like
The 2026 World Cup, hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico, already marked a significant leap. It was the first tournament to feature 48 teams, up from the 32-team format that had been standard since 1998. Now, barely into that tournament, Infantino is already floating the idea of going even bigger.
A 64-team World Cup would allow roughly 30% of FIFA’s 211 member associations to qualify.
The 2030 edition is set to be hosted primarily by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with additional centenary matches planned in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The proposal builds on discussions from a March 2025 FIFA Council meeting. Infantino’s public comments appear designed to gauge reaction and build momentum for a formal decision.
