Archive · 21 Jul 2026
FIFA Considers 64-Team World Cup Expansion
FIFA is thinking about making the World Cup bigger by adding more teams.
Right now, there are 48 teams, but they might increase it to 64.
This would mean more games and more countries can join.
Some people, like the leaders of Europe and Asia's football groups, don't like this idea because they think it could make the tournament too long and hard to manage.
They also worry it might not be as special.
FIFA says it wants to give smaller countries a better chance to play.
But if they do this, it could cost more money and be tougher on the players.
The next World Cup in 2026 will have 48 teams, and the one after that in 2030 will be in several countries.
The 2034 World Cup will be in Saudi Arabia, which is already planning for it.
So, it's a big discussion with lots of different opinions.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed expanding the World Cup to 64 teams.
A 64-team tournament would involve 128 matches, increasing logistical and financial challenges.
UEFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) oppose further expansion, citing concerns about quality and calendar strain.
The move aims to provide smaller countries with more opportunities but raises questions about competitive balance and player welfare.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first with 48 teams, hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
- Who
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa
- What
- Potential expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams
- When
- Discussions ongoing, with the first 48-team World Cup recently concluded
- Where
- Global football community
- Why
- To provide smaller countries with more opportunities to participate, but raises questions about competitive balance, tournament length, fan costs, and player welfare
FIFA and Smaller Nations
UEFA and AFC
Tournament Size
FIFA and Smaller Nations
Supports expansion to 64 teams to give smaller nations more opportunities.
UEFA and AFC
Opposes further expansion, citing concerns about quality and calendar strain.
Financial Influence
FIFA and Smaller Nations
Expansion could increase FIFA's financial influence and power.
UEFA and AFC
Regional confederations may become more dependent on FIFA's distributions.
- Current World Cup Teams
- 48
- Proposed World Cup Teams
- 64
- Current World Cup Matches
- 104
- Proposed World Cup Matches
- 128
- 2026 World Cup Hosts
- Canada, Mexico, United States
- 2030 World Cup Hosts
- Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay
- 2034 World Cup Host
- Saudi Arabia
- FIFA President
- Gianni Infantino