CurrentReport Blog FIFA is considering a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, a move that could change the landscape of international football as the tournament celebrates its centenary. This potential expansion was brought up during a FIFA Council meeting on March 5, 2025, and is currently under review.
The 2030 World Cup will be hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, with three games to be played in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. This marks a significant moment in football history as it commemorates 100 years since the inaugural World Cup. However, FIFA is now exploring the possibility of increasing the tournament size from 48 teams, which will debut in the 2026 edition in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
According to a FIFA spokesperson, the idea of expanding to 64 teams was proposed by Ignacio Alonso, a FIFA Council member from Uruguay, during a miscellaneous item at the meeting. FIFA acknowledged the suggestion and emphasized its duty to analyze any proposals made by Council members.
The 2026 World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, is set to test the new structure. If approved, the 2030 World Cup would take international football to unprecedented levels of participation, offering even more nations the chance to compete on the global stage.
As FIFA continues to review the proposal, the football world eagerly awaits the final decision, with potential impacts on everything from tournament scheduling to team dynamics and global football development.
