13 July 2026SideLine · sports news, rewritten
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FIFA President Infantino Considering World Cup Expansion to 64 Teams

By SideLine Desk ·
FIFA President Infantino Considering World Cup Expansion to 64 Teams

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is reportedly considering another expansion of the World Cup, with discussions underway about a potential 64-team format. This comes after the successful introduction of a 48-team field for the 2026 tournament, which marked the first increase in participating nations beyond the traditional 32.

The move to a 48-team World Cup for the 2026 edition has reportedly garnered positive feedback, prompting FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, to explore further growth for the prestigious tournament. This year's competition represents a significant departure from the long-standing 32-nation format.

Sources indicate that the executive body of world football is now looking at the possibility of increasing the number of participating countries to an unprecedented 64 teams. Such a change would represent the largest ever World Cup field and could fundamentally alter the competition's structure and scheduling.

The ongoing consideration for a 64-team World Cup signals FIFA's ambition to broaden participation and potentially enhance commercial opportunities, though details regarding the feasibility and implications of such an expansion remain to be seen.

💬 SideLine Take

Infantino's relentless pursuit of World Cup expansion risks diluting the competition's quality for the sake of sheer numbers and revenue.

AI-assisted rewrite. This story was written by the SideLine Desk from the reporting below and reviewed by our editors — read the original for the full story. How we work.
Source: Yahoo Sports

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