FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the governing body will examine expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams [1].
This potential shift would significantly alter the global football landscape by increasing the number of participating nations and expanding the tournament's commercial and athletic reach.
Infantino said during a press briefing following the 2026 World Cup [1]. He said that FIFA is considering a move from the current 48-team format [1] to a 64-team structure [2]. Such an expansion would add 16 nations to the competition [3].
“A World Cup with 64 teams? That’s definitely something to look into,” Infantino said [4].
The FIFA president framed the expansion as a matter of global inclusivity. He said that every nation should have the chance to dream of playing at football's biggest event [1]. By increasing the field, Infantino said growing the tournament from 48 to 64 teams could make sense [3].
A final decision on the format is expected before the 2030 World Cup [2]. The proposal aims to grow the tournament's overall appeal, and provide more opportunities for smaller footballing nations to compete on the world stage.
“Every nation should have the chance to dream of playing at football's biggest event,” Infantino said [1].
““A World Cup with 64 teams? That’s definitely something to look into.””
The move toward a 64-team tournament suggests FIFA is prioritizing global growth and revenue over the traditional exclusivity of the event. While this provides more opportunities for developing football nations, it will likely lead to concerns regarding player fatigue, a more congested international calendar, and the logistical challenges of hosting a significantly larger number of matches.
