Infantino hints at 64-team World Cup after 48-team format draws praise

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has signalled that the World Cup could expand further to 64 teams, saying the governing body will formally examine the idea once the current 48-team tournament concludes.

Speaking to Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport, Infantino cited the perceived success of the expanded format as justification for going further. “These are all issues that we will be examining after the World Cup,” he said when asked whether the tournament could grow to 64 teams. “When organising a World Cup, it’s important to organise it for the whole world — not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire world. Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating.”

The 48-team format, approved by the FIFA Council in 2017, has produced several notable stories at the 2026 edition. Curacao became the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament, while Jordan and Uzbekistan made their World Cup debuts. Cape Verde’s run to the knockout stages — where they took holders Argentina to extra time — was among the most celebrated narratives, though they had qualified by topping their African qualifying group ahead of Cameroon rather than as a direct beneficiary of expansion.

Infantino pointed to continental representation as evidence the format is working. “Nine out of 10 African teams reached the knockout stage,” he said. “At the last World Cup, there were only five teams from Africa. That just goes to show how important it is to include all teams.”

South American federation Conmebol formally proposed expanding the 2030 World Cup — to be held across Spain, Portugal and Morocco — to 64 teams in April 2025, though no decision has been reached.

Opposition to further expansion remains significant. UEFA president Alexander Ceferin has described a 64-team tournament as a “bad idea” for both the competition and the qualifying process. Leaders within the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf have echoed that view, despite the fact that a larger field would likely benefit their member nations most directly.