FIFA is considering an expansion of the men’s World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 edition [1].
This potential shift would represent a rapid acceleration of the tournament's growth. Following a long period of stability, FIFA is moving to increase the scale of the event shortly after its most recent structural change.
President Gianni Infantino said that a second expansion might happen [3]. If approved, the tournament would add 16 teams to the current roster [3]. This follows the 2026 World Cup, which saw the field grow from 32 to 48 teams [2]. That previous expansion marked the first change to the tournament's size in nearly 30 years [3].
The 2030 World Cup is slated to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco [4]. The addition of more teams would place significant pressure on these host nations to provide additional infrastructure, and stadiums to accommodate the increased number of matches.
FIFA aims to increase global participation and commercial revenue through these changes [1], [4]. However, the proposal has faced backlash from critics who cite concerns regarding tournament logistics and player fatigue.
While some reports suggest FIFA is pushing ahead with the 64-team plan [1], other sources indicate that confirmation on whether the 2030 event will feature 48 or 64 competitors is still pending [4].
“FIFA is considering an expansion of the men’s World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 edition”
A move to 64 teams would fundamentally alter the competitive balance of international soccer by lowering the barrier for entry. While this maximizes revenue and political goodwill across more member nations, it risks diluting the prestige of the tournament and creating an unsustainable schedule for players and host cities.
