The World Cup is reportedly set for a major shake-up after a recent motion that FIFA is considering
Football’s biggest tournament could be getting even bigger. FIFA has confirmed that it will review a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64 teams as part of the competition’s centenary celebrations.
The proposal, which reportedly caught officials off guard, is set to be analysed based on its financial, political, and sporting impact.
Shock proposal for a 64-team tournament
The 2030 World Cup is already set to be a historic one, with Spain, Portugal, and Morocco hosting the majority of the games, while Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay-where the inaugural tournament was staged in 1930-will each host one match.
However, the competition could see an even bigger shake-up if FIFA moves forward with the idea of expanding the number of participating teams.
According to reports from The New York Times, the proposal was introduced by Uruguayan FIFA Council member Ignacio Alonso during a March 5th meeting.
His suggestion reportedly left fellow attendees in “stunned silence,” as FIFA had only recently expanded the tournament from 32 to 48 teams for the upcoming 2026 edition in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
A FIFA spokesperson later confirmed the discussion, stating, “A proposal to analyse a 64-team FIFA World Cup to celebrate the centenary of the FIFA World Cup in 2030 was spontaneously raised by a FIFA Council member.”
Financial and political factors at play
FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged the idea and reportedly agreed that it should be evaluated further.
While an expanded World Cup would provide more teams with the opportunity to compete on football’s grandest stage, FIFA’s decision is likely to be influenced by more than just sporting considerations.
The New York Times noted that FIFA would weigh the potential “financial and political benefits as much as sporting ones” when determining whether to move forward with the expansion.
With FIFA’s revenue heavily tied to broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales, a 64-team format could open the door for even greater financial windfalls.
However, logistical concerns-including additional matches, host city accommodations, and scheduling constraints-would need to be carefully examined.
