FIFA Considers Expanding World Cup Field to 64 Teams

WHO:

The Tide News Online - FIFA President Gianni Infantino's $20 billion commercialisation plan has faced growing opposition from UEFA, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The Tide News Online - One of Infantino’s senior advisers has resigned due to the controversy surrounding the commercialisation plan.

The Tide News Online - FIFA, President Gianni Infantino, UEFA, Concacaf, Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

AOL.co.uk - Alejandro Dominguez, president of the South American FA

WHAT:

The Tide News Online - FIFA is examining the possibility of expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams, as indicated in a five-page document obtained by ESPN.

The Tide News Online - FIFA approved the sharing of the research brief on July 30.

The Tide News Online - FIFA is considering expanding the men’s World Cup from 48 to 64 teams.

The Tide News Online - A decision on the expansion could be reached by August 14.

AOL.co.uk - The 2026 World Cup was expanded from 32 to 48 teams.

AOL.co.uk - FIFA is planning to introduce a 64-team format for the 2030 tournament.

AOL.co.uk - The proposed format may include an extra four groups of four teams, with the top two teams progressing to a round-of-32.

WHERE:

AOL.co.uk - The 2030 World Cup will be hosted by Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay hosting one-off matches.

WHEN:

The Tide News Online - FIFA's member associations have a September deadline to approve Infantino's commercialisation plan.

The Tide News Online - FIFA's decision on the expansion is expected by August 14.

The Tide News Online - Agencies are expected to submit proposals by August 7.

The Tide News Online - The full analysis of the expansion is not expected to be completed until September 11.

WHY:

The Tide News Online - FIFA stated it wishes to appoint an independent agency to assess the impact of expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams.

The Tide News Online - The expansion is being considered to assess the strategic implications for the tournament.

AOL.co.uk - Alejandro Dominguez stated that the expansion to 64 teams is to honor the Centenary of the World Cup and to promote greater participation in international football.

HOW:

The Tide News Online - FIFA has launched a consultation process regarding the proposed expansion, with agencies expected to submit proposals by August 7.

The Tide News Online - FIFA has launched a consultation process regarding the proposed expansion.

The Tide News Online - FIFA circulated a research brief titled “Potential expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 64 teams.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino's ambitious $20 billion commercialisation plan is facing significant pushback from UEFA, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation, leading to the resignation of one of Infantino's senior advisers amid the controversy. In addition, FIFA is exploring the possibility of expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams, with a consultation process underway and agencies required to submit proposals by August 7. Member associations will need to approve Infantino's commercialisation plan by a deadline in September, while FIFA aims to appoint an independent agency to evaluate the potential impact of this World Cup expansion.