FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed the organization will examine expanding the World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 tournament, a move that would push the total match count from 104 to a staggering 128 games.
Speaking to Swiss outlet Blue Sport, Infantino pointed to the success of the current 48-team format as reason to consider growing the tournament even further. The 2026 World Cup marked the first time the competition expanded from its traditional 32-team field, and Infantino believes the results justify looking at an even bigger stage.
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What Infantino Said About Expansion
Infantino called the 48-team expansion a huge success and praised the rising quality of teams from outside Europe and South America. He said the whole world must be allowed to dream of the World Cup, not just the traditional football powers.
The FIFA president confirmed that a jump to 64 teams is definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees once the current tournament concludes. He noted that nine of the ten African teams in the 2026 field reached the knockout stage, compared to just five African teams at the last World Cup.
Why FIFA Wants to Eliminate Third-Place Qualifiers
One of the biggest structural issues with the current 48-team format is the inclusion of eight third-placed group teams advancing to the round of 32. Infantino has suggested that expanding to 64 teams would clean up the format entirely, since only the top two teams from each group would qualify for the knockout rounds.
That change would simplify the bracket and remove the complicated tiebreaker scenarios that have caused confusion among fans trying to track qualification paths during the group stage.
How Many Matches a 64-Team World Cup Would Require
The current 48-team World Cup runs a record 104 matches across five weeks. A 64-team field would require 128 matches, a jump that presents major logistical questions for host countries, broadcasters, and player welfare groups.
The 2030 World Cup is already set to be one of the most unique in tournament history, co-hosted across six nations and three continents to mark the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup in 1930. Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay are each scheduled to host one opening match before the tournament shifts to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
Not Everyone Is on Board With a Bigger World Cup
The response to a potential 64-team format has been mixed among fans and players. Many have argued that expanding the tournament again so soon would feel more like a financial decision than one made in the best interest of the sport.
Players already face a packed international calendar, and a 128-match tournament would add even more strain on those competing in top domestic leagues throughout the year. Critics have also questioned whether a 64-team field would dilute the overall quality of the competition, even though Infantino insists the opposite has been true so far.
What Comes Next for World Cup Expansion
Nothing is finalized yet. FIFA’s relevant committees will need to formally review the proposal after the 2026 World Cup wraps up, and any change would need broad support from confederations around the world.
Given Infantino’s track record of pushing through the 48-team expansion despite plenty of early skepticism, a 64-team World Cup by 2030 is far from out of the question.
