FIFA President Considers Expanding World Cup to 64 Teams

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he is considering expanding the next World Cup from 48 ^[1] to 64 teams ^[1].

The proposal arrives as FIFA seeks to grow the game globally, though it sparks debate over whether the expansion is designed to ensure the participation of major commercial markets.

Speaking during the ongoing tournament in Qatar, Infantino said to a Swiss broadcaster that the World Cup must be for the entire world, not just Europe and South America ^[2]. He said that the current structure limits the growth of the sport in developing regions.

"Small nations lose the motivation for development if they do not get the opportunity to participate," Infantino said ^[2].

The suggestion to move to a 64-team format ^[1] comes amid scrutiny regarding the absence of China. Despite the expansion to 48 teams ^[1], China failed to qualify for the tournament ^[1]. This absence is seen by some observers as a significant loss for the event's commercial reach given China's status as a massive football market ^[2].

Infantino said that the goal is to be inclusive and provide opportunities to as many teams as possible ^[2]. By increasing the number of slots, FIFA aims to incentivize national federations to invest more heavily in their domestic programs.

Critics of the expansion often point to the increased strain on players' schedules and the potential dilution of the competition's quality. However, Infantino maintains that the benefits of global inclusion outweigh these concerns. He said the move demonstrates how important it is to embrace all teams and give them a chance to compete ^[2].