FIFA has indicated that the number of participating teams at the 2030 FIFA World Cup could increase further, with discussions underway about expanding the tournament from 48 to 64 nations. The proposal comes after the expanded 48-team format received a positive response, with several emerging football nations producing competitive performances against traditional powerhouses.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first edition to feature 48 teams, up from the previous 32-team format. According to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the success of the expanded competition has encouraged football's governing body to explore the possibility of including even more nations in future editions.
The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. To mark the tournament's centenary, one match each will also be staged in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. FIFA began discussing the possibility of further expansion last year, with the idea gaining attention among several football administrators.
Infantino said the World Cup belongs to the entire football community and not only to traditional football powers in Europe and South America. He argued that giving smaller nations an opportunity to compete on the biggest stage would accelerate the sport's global development and inspire greater investment in football worldwide.
The proposal for a 64-team tournament was initially put forward by Uruguayan football official Ignacio Alonso and later received support from CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez. However, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has expressed opposition, arguing that a further expansion could dilute the tournament's competitive quality.
