ZURICH: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reopened debate over the future size of the FIFA World Cup, suggesting that a 64-team tournament could be considered after the successful completion of the first-ever 48-team edition.
Speaking to Swiss television during the tournament, Infantino acknowledged that expanding football’s biggest event beyond 48 teams is among the ideas FIFA could examine in the coming years, raising fresh questions about the future structure of the global competition.
Bigger Tournament Could Reshape Global Football
A move to a 64-team World Cup would represent another major transformation for international football. While it would allow more nations to qualify, it would also require significantly more stadiums, hotels, transportation infrastructure and potentially extend the tournament schedule.
Beyond logistical challenges, experts believe the proposal could have major financial consequences for the sport.
A larger tournament would make World Cup qualification easier for many traditional football powers, potentially reducing the commercial value of regional qualifying competitions while increasing the importance—and financial influence—of FIFA’s flagship event.
Analysts say broadcasters could place less value on qualification matches if more teams automatically reach the finals, making football’s six continental confederations increasingly reliant on FIFA’s revenue-sharing model.
UEFA Opposes Further Expansion
The proposal has already faced resistance from Europe’s football leadership.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has publicly opposed the idea, arguing that another expansion would weaken both the World Cup and regional qualifying tournaments.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for the World Cup itself, and it’s not a good idea for our qualifiers either. So I’m not supporting that idea,” Čeferin said previously, adding that UEFA’s position remains unchanged.
AFC Also Raises Concerns
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has also expressed reservations.
AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa questioned where repeated tournament expansion might eventually end, warning that continual growth could dilute the prestige and competitiveness of the World Cup.
FIFA Yet to Make Formal Proposal
FIFA has not announced any formal plans to expand the tournament to 64 teams, and no timeline has been set for discussions. However, Infantino’s remarks have reignited debate over the balance between expanding global participation and preserving the quality and commercial value of the world’s most prestigious football competition.
For now, the 48-team format remains the official structure for upcoming World Cups, but discussions surrounding a possible 64-team tournament are expected to continue within the global football community.
