Infantino has suggested that the success of the 48-team format could lead to a further expansion of the World Cup, involving more nations in 2030.
Gianni Infantino opens up to the possibility of a 64-team World Cup
According to Sports.
Context
Curacao, which has already made history by participating in the 48-team World Cup, could benefit greatly from an expansion to 64 teams. This would not only increase the chances of qualification for smaller teams, but would also give Curacao the opportunity to compete against high-level opponents, thus contributing to the growth of football in the country.
Why it matters
Gianni Infantino's openness to a possible 64-team World Cup represents a significant change in FIFA's philosophy, which aims to make the tournament more inclusive. The success of the 48-team format has demonstrated that even smaller nations, such as Curacao, can compete at a high level, offering unique opportunities for global football. This approach could further incentivize the development of football in emerging countries, contributing to a more balanced growth of the international football scene.
Key points
- Gianni Infantino opens up to the possibility of a 64-team World Cup.
- Infantino suggested that the success of the 48-team format could lead to a further expansion of the World Cup, involving more nations in 2030.
- Gianni Infantino hints at expanding World Cup again to 64 teams - Yahoo Sports.
Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, has opened the door to a potential expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams. This hypothesis emerged following the success of the current tournament, which saw the introduction of the 48-team format, a choice that was initially criticized but which gathered support during the course of the competition. Infantino said the success of the 48-team World Cup gives FIFA compelling reasons to consider a further expansion ahead of the 2030 tournament, to be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
"These are all issues we will look at after the World Cup," Infantino told Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport, responding to a question about whether the tournament would grow to 64 teams. "When you organize a World Cup, it is important to do it for the whole world, not just for Europe and South America, but for everyone. Every nation should have the right to dream of participating in the World Cup. The quality of the teams is extremely high and is improving everywhere in the world. If we don't give smaller countries the chance to participate, they will lack the incentive to continue to improve."
FIFA approved the move to 48 teams in 2017, allowing nations like Curacao to qualify, making them the smallest nation to participate in a World Cup. Other debutants, such as Jordan and Uzbekistan, have also entered the competition. Cape Verde's surprising run to the round of 16, where they took on reigning champions Argentina, was one of the most fascinating stories of the tournament, proving that expansion has led to positive results.
However, there have been concerns that the expansion of the tournament could lead to a decrease in the quality of the game. Infantino vigorously defended the new format, describing it as an extraordinary success. “Every team played at a high level,” he said. "Teams from every continent scored and earned at least one point. Nine of the ten African teams reached the round of 16, whereas in the last World Cup only five African teams made it that far. This shows how important it is to include all teams and give them the opportunity to participate."
In April 2025, the South American confederation Conmebol officially proposed expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, but a final decision has not yet been made. Despite this, many have expressed their disagreement over further expansion, with Alexander Ceferin, president of UEFA, calling the idea "terrible" for both the tournament and the qualification process. The leaders of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Concacaf also agreed on this position, although an expanded World Cup could mainly benefit their nations. AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa warned that further expansion would lead to "chaos", while Victor Montagliani, president of Concacaf, expressed concern that such a proposal could damage "the overall football ecosystem".
Infantino also addressed the issue of hydration breaks, which have been the subject of debate, and defended high ticket prices, saying the data shows stadiums are at full capacity. FIFA expects to generate between 13 and 14 billion Swiss francs (around £12 billion) from the World Cup, a result considered "very satisfactory".
What happens now
With the 2030 World Cup scheduled for Spain, Portugal and Morocco, FIFA will have the opportunity to evaluate the results of the 48-team tournament and decide whether to proceed with the expansion. If the 64-team format is approved, it could see more nations participate, including countries like Curacao, which have already shown they can compete. The upcoming FIFA discussions could therefore be crucial for the future of international football and for the ambitions of many nations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Gianni Infantino say about the 64-team World Cup?
Gianni Infantino opened the door to a potential expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams, highlighting the success of the current tournament with 48 teams.
Why is a 64-team World Cup being considered now?
Consideration for a 64-team World Cup emerged following the success of the 48-team format, which received support during the competition.
Who confirmed the idea of a 64-team World Cup?
The idea of a 64-team World Cup was confirmed by Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA.
What changes could result from the expansion to 64 teams?
Expanding to 64 teams could give smaller nations, like Curacao, the chance to participate, incentivizing team improvement globally.
When could a 64-team World Cup be held?
A 64-team World Cup could be considered ahead of the 2030 tournament, to be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
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