FIFA president Gianni Infantino has announced that the proposal to expand the World Cup beyond 48 teams will be evaluated after the 2026 finals. He stated that the mission of the tournament is to give every nation a chance to dream of participation, arguing that the growing quality of teams globally demands a larger field.
"Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup," Infantino told Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport. The argument follows the 48‑team format’s success, with African nations reaching the knockout stages for the first time since 1998.
The proposal for a 64‑team World Cup was first put forward by Conmebol in April 2025, but no decisive action has been taken. The FIFA Council remains the final authority on the decision, with no immediate signs of approval. Several confederation presidents, including UEFA’s Aleksander Ceferin, AFC’s Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, and Concacaf’s Victor Montagliani, have flagged logistical and competitive challenges that could arise from expanding the tournament.
Infantino reminded readers that when he was elected in 2016 his manifesto included moving the size from 32 to 40 teams – a move that evolved into the current 48‑team structure approved for 2026. He highlighted the trade‑offs of hosting a larger tournament, noting that matches would now be played across multiple venues and that a 64‑team event would increase the number of games to 128.
The argument to enlarge the World Cup carries significant economic potential, with a larger field offering more revenue that could be shared among member associations. Infantino said the next World Cup will act as a litmus test for future expansion, suggesting that the decision will be taken after assessing the 2026 format’s operational effectiveness.
Infantino’s call to broaden participation reflects a broader vision for football’s global reach. Whether the World Cup will expand to 64 teams remains uncertain, but the idea has sparked debate across continental federations, signaling a possible shift in FIFA’s approach to the world's biggest stage.
