The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already made history by becoming the longest tournament ever, stretching into a sixth week for the first time. Yet before the competition has even reached its conclusion, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has sparked fresh debate by suggesting the tournament could become even bigger in the future.
Speaking to Swiss media during the World Cup’s brief break before the semi-finals, Infantino revealed that FIFA is “examining and discussing” the possibility of expanding the 2030 World Cup from 48 teams to 64.
The idea has immediately divided opinion. While many supporters welcome the prospect of seeing more nations on football’s biggest stage, critics argue that expanding the tournament even further could reduce the quality and competitiveness that make the World Cup so special.
Infantino Defends Global Expansion
Infantino insisted that FIFA’s priority is making the World Cup a truly global event rather than one dominated by football’s traditional powers.
“When organising a World Cup, it’s important to organise it for the whole world—not just Europe and South America,” he explained. “If you don’t give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they’ll lack the incentive to keep improving.”
His comments reflect FIFA’s long-term strategy of expanding international competitions to include more emerging football nations.
More Teams, More Opportunities
The 2026 edition has already shown the value of giving new countries a place on football’s biggest stage.
Nations such as Cape Verde have impressed with fearless performances, while Uzbekistan and Jordan have enjoyed memorable moments against established football powers. Even Curaçao captured global attention by scoring against Germany, proving that underdogs can still produce unforgettable World Cup memories.
A 64-team tournament would create even more opportunities for developing football nations to compete on the world stage and inspire future generations at home.
How Would a 64-Team World Cup Work?
If FIFA proceeds with the proposal, the tournament would likely return to a straightforward format of 16 groups of four teams, with the top two advancing to the knockout rounds.
Such a structure would restore the traditional group-stage format used in previous World Cups before the expansion to 48 teams. It would also eliminate concerns surrounding complex qualification scenarios and best third-placed teams.
However, the expansion would also add approximately 24 more matches to an already packed schedule.
Can FIFA Handle an Even Bigger Tournament?
Logistically, FIFA appears confident it can.
The planned 2030 World Cup is expected to be spread across six countries and three continents, with 23 stadiums hosting matches. Such a broad hosting model could comfortably accommodate additional fixtures while creating an unprecedented global football festival.
Fans could potentially enjoy multiple blockbuster matches across different continents on the same day, highlighting the increasingly international nature of the tournament.
Is This Only the Beginning?
Some observers believe the 64-team proposal could be just another step in FIFA’s long-term vision.
As football’s governing body continues expanding its competitions, speculation has even emerged about whether one day every FIFA member nation could take part in the World Cup in some form.
While that idea remains highly unlikely for now, Infantino’s latest comments show that FIFA remains committed to growing the tournament and increasing opportunities for countries across every continent.
For supporters, the debate ultimately comes down to one question: should the World Cup remain an elite competition featuring the very best teams, or evolve into an even more inclusive global celebration of football?
The conversation has only just begun, but one thing is certain—football’s biggest tournament may not have reached its maximum size yet.
