The FIFA World Cup could be heading for another major transformation as FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the football’s governing body will formally examine a proposal to expand the men’s World Cup from 48 to 64 teams.
The review will take place after the 2026 tournament, although no decision has been made, the announcement shows FIFA is seriously considering another expansion.
Why FIFA Is Considering the Change
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is already the largest in the tournament’s history. It is the first edition to feature 48 teams instead of the traditional 32.
The new format also increased the number of matches from 64 to 104.
Before the tournament, many fans and football experts feared that adding more teams would reduce the quality of competition. Infantino, however, believes the opposite has happened.
He said the expanded format has allowed more nations to compete at a high level. He also praised Africa’s performance, noting that nine of the continent’s ten representatives reached the knockout stage.
According to him, those results show that giving more countries a chance can strengthen the global game.
What a 64-Team Tournament Could Mean
If approved, a 64-team World Cup would become the biggest in history. The competition could feature 16 groups of four teams, with the top two from each group advancing to the Round of 32. The tournament would also grow to about 128 matches.
Supporters say the move would give more countries a chance to qualify and encourage investment in football development. Critics, however, warn that it could increase player fatigue, create fixture congestion and reduce the value of qualifying for the World Cup.
FIFA has not approved the proposal. Instead, it will study the idea after the 2026 tournament before making a final decision.
If adopted, the expanded format could debut at the 2030 FIFA World Cup, marking another historic chapter in international football.
