The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) is discussing the possibility of increasing the number of teams participating in the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, to 64 teams, up from 48. FIFA is considering a plan to increase the number of teams participating in the 2030 World Cup to 64, in an exceptional move to celebrate the tournament's centenary, as announced by the organization on Thursday. This proposal was presented, according to The New York Times, at the end of a FIFA Council meeting on Wednesday, which could complicate the tournament that will be held for the first time across three continents. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously overseen the expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, with the new format set to debut in 2026 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to the newspaper, citing four sources familiar with the discussions, the proposal for 64 teams emerged under the «Miscellaneous» item on the meeting agenda, when Uruguay's representative, Ignacio Alonso, read a pre-prepared speech in English. Some attendees mentioned that the meeting saw a moment of stunned silence when the proposal was presented. However, FIFA is likely to consider financial and political benefits alongside sporting advantages when making its decision. Infantino confirmed that the idea should be studied thoroughly, a stance similar to his previous attempts to reshape global football. The last time FIFA attempted a radical change to the tournament was when it proposed holding it every two years instead of four. This idea met with an angry reaction, especially from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), leading to its abandonment. Expanding the tournament to 64 teams could reduce the importance of continental qualifiers, as seven out of ten teams in South America could already qualify for the 2026 World Cup. This expansion might also affect the tournament's appeal to broadcasting channels. Logistically, the tournament schedule, which currently lasts a month, is expected to extend for a longer period, especially with a record 104 matches scheduled for 2026. Since taking office in 2016 following corruption scandals that ousted previous FIFA leadership, Infantino has been working to expand his legacy, including the expansion of both the men's and women's World Cups and the launch of a new version of the Club World Cup, which will be held for the first time this summer in the United States.
