FIFA Considers 64-Team World Cup Amid Investor Controversy

WHO:

CNN - FIFA President Gianni Infantino is involved in the discussions regarding the World Cup expansion.

AOL.com - The South American confederation CONMEBOL proposed hosting the 2030 World Cup.

WHAT:

CNN - FIFA is studying the impact of expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 edition.

CNN - The 2026 edition of the World Cup was expanded from 32 to 48 teams.

AOL.com - FIFA is considering the strategic implications of a possible expansion of the FIFA World Cup beyond the current format.

CNN - FIFA plans to appoint an independent agency to assess the impact of the proposed expansion.

AOL.com - The independent agency will determine whether and how expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams would impact the tournament.

WHERE:

CNN - The 2030 World Cup is being jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay hosting one match each.

WHEN:

CNN - FIFA will make a decision on selecting the independent agency on August 14.

CNN - The independent agency will have four weeks to deliver their analysis by September 11.

AOL.com - The deadline for FIFA to receive support for the expansion proposal is August 14.

WHY:

CNN - The accelerated study follows FIFA's plan to create a $20 billion subsidiary to run the World Cup and its other events with external investors, which has attracted criticism.

AOL.com - The proposal comes amid backlash over Infantino's plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

HOW:

CNN - The analysis will assess whether the proposed expansion can strengthen the tournament or if concerns such as competition dilution and operational complexity outweigh potential benefits.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is currently engaged in discussions about the potential expansion of the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, which is set to be jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay each hosting one match. To evaluate the impact of this proposed expansion, FIFA plans to appoint an independent agency, with a decision expected on August 14, and the agency will have until September 11 to deliver its analysis. This accelerated study comes in light of FIFA's controversial plans to create a $20 billion subsidiary to manage the World Cup and other events, which has drawn criticism amid concerns over competition dilution and operational complexity.