FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently sparked conversation about the future shape of the world’s biggest football tournament, suggesting that the competition could eventually expand beyond its current 48‑team structure.
Expanding the World Cup
The 2026 edition will mark the first tournament to feature 48 nations, a milestone Infantino described as a natural progression from the original 16‑team format. He indicated that a 64‑team format is being considered for the edition that would follow, a move he says reflects the growing competitiveness of football across continents.
Infantino emphasized that the expansion is not merely a numbers game but a reflection of the rising quality of play among smaller nations, citing recent successes that have blurred traditional hierarchies in the sport.
Future Hosts and Logistics
Looking ahead, the 2030 finals are slated to be co‑hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain, while Saudi Arabia is slated to host the 2034 edition. These selections illustrate FIFA’s strategy to broaden the tournament’s geographic footprint and to engage new markets in the Middle East and North Africa.
Addressing concerns about player welfare, Infantino explained that the occasional hydration breaks introduced in recent tournaments are data‑driven measures designed to protect athletes in extreme heat, ensuring that health considerations are not compromised for commercial interests.
On the commercial side, he defended the high ticket prices, noting that they were set by independent economists and have been met with strong demand from fans worldwide, underscoring the market’s willingness to invest in elite football experiences.
Financially, Infantino projected that the upcoming 39‑day tournament will generate between 13 and 14 billion Swiss francs in revenue, a figure that highlights the economic significance of the expanded format for FIFA and its stakeholders.