FIFA could expand World Cup again in 2030 to 64 teams: Here’s what we know
A Proposal from South American Soccer
FIFA is considering a surprise proposal from South American soccer to expand the men’s 2030 World Cup to 64 teams — double the size of the 2022 edition in Qatar.
“A proposal to analyze a 64-team FIFA World Cup to celebrate the centenary of the FIFA World Cup in 2030 was spontaneously raised by a FIFA Council member in the ‘miscellaneous’ agenda item near the end of the FIFA Council meeting,” soccer’s governing body said Thursday, one day after the meeting.
“The idea was acknowledged as FIFA has a duty to analyze any proposal from one of its Council members,” FIFA said about the remote online meeting.
The Mastermind Behind the Proposal
It was suggested by the elected delegate from Uruguay, Ignacio Alonso, two people familiar with the move told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussion was confidential.
Uruguay was the original World Cup host — and trophy winner — in 1930 and is scheduled to host one game at the centenary tournament.
Background on the 2030 World Cup
The 2030 World Cup is already set to be the most sprawling edition with six host nations spread across three continents. South American soccer body CONMEBOL agreed in 2023 to a FIFA-backed plan for Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to have one game each to open the tournament before it moves to the main co-hosts Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
FIFA gave all six hosts automatic places in the tournament lineup and the deal was seen as a win in soccer politics for CONMEBOL’s Paraguayan president Alejandro Dominguez.
Why Expand the Tournament?
Expanding to 64 teams likely would guarantee all 10 CONMEBOL member countries a place in a bigger tournament. Venezuela is the only one that has never qualified for a World Cup.
Having 64 teams if FIFA approves the move should create a tournament of 128 games — also double the number of the 64-game, 32-team format that was played from 1998 through 2022.
Challenges and Controversies
Adding 16 teams — beyond the 48 teams of the 2026 edition — would send hundreds more players to the World Cup at a time when player unions have criticized a relentless expansion of games and competitions without consulting their members.
However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has enthusiastically supported adding to its tournament portfolio that raises revenue and gives more teams the chance to qualify, citing a need to develop soccer globally.
Conclusion
FIFA has yet to announce a timetable for reviewing the proposal and possible decision. Paraguay’s capital Asuncion hosts the next FIFA Congress of 211 member federations in May.
FAQs
* What is the current size of the World Cup?
+ The current size of the World Cup is 32 teams.
* How many teams are expected to participate in the 2030 World Cup if the proposal is approved?
+ If approved, the 2030 World Cup would feature 64 teams.
* Who suggested the proposal to expand the World Cup?
+ The proposal was suggested by the elected delegate from Uruguay, Ignacio Alonso.
* What is the current plan for the 2030 World Cup?
+ The 2030 World Cup is set to be the most sprawling edition with six host nations spread across three continents.
* When is the next FIFA Congress scheduled to take place?
+ The next FIFA Congress is scheduled to take place in May in Asuncion, Paraguay.
