FIFA boss Gianni Infantino makes case for expansion of World Cup to 64 teams in 2030
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is considering expanding the World Cup to 64 teams for future tournaments, following the success of the current 48-team format. He argues that expansion provides smaller nations with the incentive to improve their football programs.
Why it matters
Further expansion would significantly alter the structure of the world's most popular sporting event, impacting global participation and tournament logistics.
With the first 48-team World Cup soon coming to a close, FIFA president Gianni Infantino is laying the groundwork for further expansion of the tournament in 2030.
Infantino recently conducted an interview with Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport and was asked about expansion of the World Cup to include 64 teams.
"That's definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup," Infantino said, per Blue Sport translation. "When organizing a World Cup, it's important to organize it for the whole world — not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire world.
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