FIFA Considers 64-Team Format for 2030 World Cup Expansion
WHO:
Diario AS - FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed the examination of a 64-team World Cup.
The New York Times - Infantino is the president of FIFA, the governing body of world football.
The New York Times - Alejandro Dominguez, president of CONMEBOL and FIFA vice-president, supports the 64-team proposal.
The New York Times - UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin opposes the 64-team proposal.
WHAT:
Diario AS - The proposed 64-team format would consist of 16 groups of four teams, with each team playing three group-stage matches.
The New York Times - The 2030 tournament is expected to feature 128 matches, which is double the 64-game format used in the 32-team era.
The New York Times - Infantino stated that expanding the World Cup to 48 teams for the 2026 edition was “100 percent a success.”
Diario AS - FIFA is considering expanding the World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 tournament.
The New York Times - The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams, an increase from the previous 32-team format.
The New York Times - The proposed 64-team format would consist of 16 groups of four teams, with the top two teams from each group advancing.
The New York Times - The 2030 tournament is expected to feature 128 matches, doubling the 64-game format used in the 32-team era.
WHERE:
Diario AS - The 2030 World Cup will be hosted across six nations and three continents: Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.
The New York Times - Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay are scheduled to host one match each at the start of the competition.
WHEN:
The New York Times - FIFA will discuss the 64-team proposal after the 2026 World Cup.
The New York Times - The 2030 World Cup is set to take place in the year 2030.
WHY:
The New York Times - Infantino emphasized that “every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup” to encourage smaller countries to improve.
Diario AS - Infantino argues that expanding the World Cup would provide more representation and investment in football globally.
The New York Times - Supporters believe a 64-team tournament would allow more nations to grow and compete on the global stage.
The New York Times - Critics argue that expansion could dilute the prestige of qualifying and the tournament itself.
HOW:
Diario AS - A 64-team tournament would likely avoid three-team groups to restore balance and competitive integrity, increasing the total number of matches.
Diario AS - The proposed format would mirror the traditional structure used from 1998 to 2022, scaled up to accommodate 64 teams.
The New York Times - Infantino stated that the tournament is “for the whole world, not just Europe and South America.”
(UPDATED July 12, 2026 14:23 UTC)
The proposed 64-team format for the World Cup would consist of 16 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in the group stage, leading to a total of 128 matches, which is double the previous 64-game format used in the 32-team era. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that expanding the World Cup to 48 teams for the 2026 edition was “100 percent a success,” emphasizing that “every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup” to inspire smaller countries. To enhance competitive integrity, the new 64-team tournament is expected to avoid three-team groups, ultimately increasing the total number of matches played.
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(UPDATED July 12, 2026 13:20 UTC)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the organization is examining a proposal to expand the World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 tournament, which will be hosted across six nations and three continents, including Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. The proposed format would consist of 16 groups of four teams, with the top two from each group advancing, and supporters believe this expansion would enhance global representation in football. Infantino argues that the tournament is “for the whole world, not just Europe and South America,” and discussions on this proposal will take place after the 2026 World Cup, which will feature 48 teams.