FIFA President Proposes 64-Team World Cup for 2030

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly voiced his support for increasing the number of teams at the men's World Cup to 64. This proposal follows the recent decision to expand the tournament to 48 nations, a change set to take effect for the 2026 edition.

Infantino's remarks suggest a continuous drive within FIFA to broaden participation in its flagship event. The rationale behind such expansions often centers on providing more opportunities for a wider range of national teams to compete on the global stage and to generate increased revenue through broader appeal and more matches.

The move to 48 teams was itself a significant shift, and the prospect of further expansion to 64 by 2030 would represent an even more substantial alteration to the tournament's format. Discussions around the feasibility and impact of such a large-scale event, including infrastructure and scheduling, are likely to intensify.