FIFA Considers Expanding 2030 World Cup to 64 Teams: A Bold Move for the Centenary Celebration

FIFA Considers Expanding 2030 World Cup to 64 Teams: A Bold Move for the Centenary Celebration

In a surprising turn of events, FIFA announced on Thursday that it is considering a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams. This proposal comes as a way to commemorate the centenary of the sport’s most prestigious tournament. The 2030 World Cup is set to be hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, the latter being the location of the inaugural World Cup, hosting three games.

For those keeping track, the World Cup is already set to expand from 32 to 48 teams for the upcoming edition in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. This latest proposal, however, takes the expansion a step further, potentially adding 16 more teams to the mix. The idea was brought up during a FIFA Council meeting on March 5, 2025, as a ‘miscellaneous’ agenda item, according to a FIFA spokesperson who spoke to Reuters.

“A proposal to analyze a 64-team FIFA World Cup to celebrate the centenary of the FIFA World Cup in 2030 was spontaneously raised by a FIFA Council member in the ‘miscellaneous’ agenda item near the end of the FIFA Council meeting held on March 5, 2025,” the spokesperson explained. “The idea was acknowledged as FIFA has a duty to analyze any proposal from one of its Council members.”

The New York Times reported earlier on Thursday that the proposal was made by Ignacio Alonso, a delegate from Uruguay. The newspaper, which did not disclose its sources, described the reaction to the proposal as one of “stunned silence” among the participants. It further noted that, according to three people present at the meeting, “FIFA was likely to be guided by financial and political benefits as much as sporting ones when it came to taking a decision on the matter.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino reportedly “acknowledged the proposal and said it should be analyzed more closely,” according to The New York Times, which cited “four people with direct knowledge of the discussions.”

What Could This Mean for the World Cup?

Expanding the World Cup to 64 teams would be a monumental shift in the tournament’s structure. Here are some potential implications:

• Increased Global Participation: More teams mean more countries get the chance to participate, potentially increasing the global appeal and inclusivity of the tournament.
• Logistical Challenges: Hosting a 64-team tournament would require significant logistical planning, including more venues, accommodations, and transportation arrangements.
• Financial Implications: While the expansion could lead to increased revenue from broadcasting rights and sponsorships, it could also mean higher costs for organizing the event.
• Impact on Competition: With more teams, the level of competition could be diluted, but it also offers underdog teams a chance to shine on the world stage.

As FIFA deliberates on this proposal, the world of football watches with bated breath. The decision could redefine the future of the World Cup, making the 2030 edition a landmark event in the history of the sport.

For now, fans and stakeholders alike will have to wait and see how FIFA navigates this potential expansion. Will the allure of a grander, more inclusive tournament win out, or will the challenges prove too daunting? Only time will tell.