FIFA to Review Proposal for 64-Nation World Cup in 2030, Infantino Reveals

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the world football governing body will study the possibility of expanding the men's World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 edition. The revelation came in an interview with the Swiss portal Bluewin, as reported by revistaquem.globo.com. The move would come on the heels of the upcoming expansion from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

revistaquem.globo.comFifa vai analisar aumento da Copa do Mundo para 64 seleções em 2030, diz Infantino

Infantino indicated that the proposal will be examined and discussed by FIFA's relevant committees after the 2026 World Cup, according to acritica.net. The expansion to 64 teams would mean that more than a quarter of the 210 national teams affiliated with FIFA would participate in the tournament, as noted by revistaquem.globo.com. The idea was initially floated last year and will now receive a formal review, reported Folha de S.Paulo.

acritica.netInfantino diz que Fifa vai discutir aumento para 64 seleções na Copa de 2030

"100% um sucesso"

Infantino described the current expansion to 48 teams as a complete success, using that phrasing in his interview. This positive assessment appears to underpin his push for an even larger tournament. The president also framed the proposal as a matter of global inclusivity.

"para o mundo todo"

www1.folha.uol.com.brFifa avalia expandir Copa do Mundo para 64 seleções após torneio de 2026

According to Folha, Infantino argues that the tournament needs to be "for the whole world," suggesting that a 64-team format would allow more nations to experience the competition. The proposal has drawn mixed reactions, with some questioning the impact on quality and scheduling, as noted by Notizie.it.

notizie.itFIFA considera l’aumento a 64 nazionali per il Mondiale del 2030

The 2026 World Cup will already feature 48 teams, 16 more than the format used from 1998 to 2022, as reported by VEJA SÃO PAULO. If approved, the 2030 tournament would add another 16 teams, making it the largest World Cup in history. Infantino's comments signal a clear direction for FIFA, though the final decision will come only after the next World Cup concludes.

VEJA SÃO PAULOFifa estuda a possibilidade de ampliar Copa do Mundo para 64 seleções