A Bold Proposal from the FIFA President
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has indicated that the organization will review the prospect of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams once the current edition concludes. He argues that a larger field would allow more countries to compete on the world stage and could further elevate the overall standard of play.
The tournament has a history of expansion, having grown from just 13 participants in the inaugural 1930 edition to 16 teams that were granted permanent status in 1954, then to 24 in 1982 and 32 in 1998. The most recent change, introduced for the 2026 World Cup, increased the lineup to 48 teams, a shift that Infantino now says has proven to be a huge success.
The competition is currently in its knockout phase, with France scheduled to face Spain in a semifinal match on Tuesday, while England will meet Argentina later that week. The winners of those fixtures are set to contest the final on Sunday, July 19, at the New Jersey venue, which will host the championship decider.
Infantino highlighted that the quality of teams has risen dramatically, noting that the standard of football is improving across all regions. He pointed to the presence of global stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and emerging talents like Lamine Yamal as evidence of a truly worldwide talent pool.
If the expansion plan moves forward, it could reshape qualification pathways and tournament logistics, potentially offering more nations the chance to experience the unique atmosphere of the World Cup while maintaining a high competitive level.