Alejandro Domínguez, the president of Conmebol, has called for the 2030 World Cup to be expanded to 64 teams, a move he says would mark the competition’s 100th anniversary with a truly global celebration.
A bold expansion plan
Speaking after a September 2025 meeting, Domínguez argued that a larger field would give more nations a chance to compete on football’s biggest stage, reflecting the confederation’s desire to broaden participation.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed that the proposed increase would be examined, recalling how the 2026 tournament, which grew to 48 teams, was hailed as a success but also drew criticism from some coaches.
The suggested format would place Spain, Portugal and Morocco at the heart of the tournament, while the opening matches are slated for Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, linking the centenary celebrations to the competition’s origins.
Domínguez believes the expansion will accelerate development programmes in emerging football nations and reinforce the World Cup’s role as a unifying cultural event.
Resistance from Europe and Asia
The idea has not been universally embraced. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and AFC chief Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa have voiced reservations, warning that adding 16 more slots could dilute competitive standards and strain logistical resources.
Former coach Carlos Queiroz has previously expressed skepticism about expanding the tournament, adding to the diverse range of opinions as FIFA prepares to evaluate the proposal in the coming months.