Wheels in motion for 64-team World Cup
The next World Cup could feature 64 teams after CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez confirmed plans are under way to expand the tournament for the second successive edition.
This summer’s competition in USA, Mexico and Canada saw 48 countries participate for the first time, up from 32 at World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
But the number of nations could rise once more for World Cup 2030 when Spain, Portugal and Morocco will share hosting duties, with one match each in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to celebrate the tournament’s centenary.
World Cup 2030 could have 64 teams as plans announced
The 48-team tournament was the brainchild of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, with world football’s governing body approving the expansion of the 2026 competition back in 2017, one year after he took office.
Earlier this month, Infantino suggested FIFA would assess plans for a 64-team World Cup, saying: “It’s important to organise it for the whole world…if you don’t give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they’ll lack the incentive to keep improving.”
Trabajamos para que el Mundial 2030 se dispute con 64 selecciones en homenaje al Centenario de la Copa del Mundo.El fútbol de selecciones crece cuando se abre al mundo. La expansión a 48 equipos demostró que una mayor participación genera más oportunidades, impulsa el…July 21, 2026
And less than 48 hours after the World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina, Dominguez – president of South American confederation CONMEBOL – confirmed the 2030 tournament could be even bigger than this summer’s edition.
He posted on X: “We are working to ensure that the 2030 World Cup is held with 64 national teams in homage to the Centenary of the World Cup.
“International football grows when it opens up to the world. The expansion to 48 teams demonstrated that greater participation generates more opportunities, boosts the development of football, and turns the World Cup into a true global celebration.
“The Centenary offers us a historic opportunity to Dream Big. May the World Cup be the greatest celebration that football has ever known.”
CONMEBOL put forward an official proposal to increase the number of teams at World Cup 2030 to 64 back in April 2025, but no decision has been reached and would need to be approved by the majority of members on the 37-strong FIFA Council.
Dominguez’s counterparts at other confederations have been less enthused by the idea, with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin joining the chiefs of CONCACAF – which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean – and AFC (Asia) in speaking out against the plans.
A 64-team World Cup would be comprised of 16 groups of four countries each, with the top two qualifying for the last 32 and no third-place teams reaching the knockout stage as lucky losers, unlike this summer.
There would be 128 games in total, up from 104 at World Cup 2026, and would likely mean the competition lasts even longer than the five-and-a-half-week tournament that took place in North America.
Although the format would be easier to follow and teams reaching the final would play the same number of games, there would be several logistical issues that would come with a 64-team World Cup.
The number of stadiums would need to rise from the 16 that hosted matches this summer, while the infrastructure would need to be in place to accommodate the increase in participating nations and fans.
But after Infantino proudly declared the 48-team World Cup a success, do not be surprised if it is even bigger in four years time.
