Infantino opens door to 64-team World Cup
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is considering expanding the men's World Cup to 64 teams following the success of the current 48-team format. The proposal aims to increase global participation and provide smaller nations with greater incentives to develop their football programs.
Why it matters
A 64-team tournament would significantly alter the structure of the world's most popular sporting event, impacting global broadcasting, logistics, and the competitive landscape of international football.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Infantino has been Fifa president since 2016
Plans for a 64-team men's World Cup are set to be picked up and assessed in detail after the 2026 tournament with Fifa boss Gianni Infantino saying football needs to be "for the whole world".
The proposal for an expanded tournament was put forward last year but Infantino says the success of the expanded 48-team tournament means they should look at how a 64-team World Cup could work.
"That's definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup," Infantino told Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport , external when asked if the tournament could be expanded to 64 teams.
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