Staff Reporter
FIFA is set to consider a proposal to expand the 2030 FIFA World Cup from 48 to 64 teams as part of celebrations marking the tournament’s centenary.
The proposal, initially put forward by South American football governing body CONMEBOL, is expected to be discussed by the FIFA Council before being presented to the FIFA Congress for consideration next year.
If approved, the move would make the 2030 tournament the largest FIFA World Cup in history, allowing 64 nations to compete for football’s biggest prize.
The proposal is being considered as a special one-off arrangement to commemorate 100 years since the inaugural FIFA World Cup was staged in Uruguay in 1930.
The 2026 World Cup, currently being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is the first edition to feature 48 teams following FIFA’s expansion from the previous 32-team format. The increase also saw the number of matches rise from 64 to 104.
Expanding to 64 teams would mean nearly one-third of FIFA’s 211 member associations would qualify for the finals, potentially giving more countries from Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Caribbean an opportunity to compete on the global stage.
However, the proposal has generated mixed reactions within the football community.
Football lovers argue that the expansion would promote greater inclusivity and increase opportunities for emerging football nations, while critics have raised concerns over player welfare, fixture congestion and the logistical demands of organising an even larger tournament.
FIFA has not yet made a formal decision, and the governing body is yet to confirm whether the proposal will be put to a vote.
The 2030 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay each staging one opening match to honour the centenary of the competition.
