FIFA has announced plans to evaluate a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams. The suggestion, which emerged during a recent FIFA Council meeting, could significantly increase the size and scope of football’s centennial tournament.
The 2030 World Cup will be hosted across six nations, marking a historic milestone in the tournament’s 100-year history. Morocco, Spain, and Portugal are set to be the primary hosts, while Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay will each host a match as a tribute to the tournament’s inaugural event in Uruguay in 1930.
The idea of expansion builds on FIFA’s recent decision to increase the number of teams in the 2026 World Cup to 48, a change set to debut in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. A further jump to 64 teams would be an unprecedented move, potentially reshaping global football
According to a FIFA spokesperson, the proposal to analyze a 64-team tournament was “spontaneously raised” by a FIFA Council member during the “miscellaneous” section of the agenda on March 5, 2025.
While the idea is still in its infancy, FIFA has acknowledged its responsibility to thoroughly examine such proposals from Council members.
Speculation suggests that Ignacio Alonso, a delegate from Uruguay, may have been the driving force behind the proposal. Uruguay’s involvement in the 2030 tournament holds special significance, as the country hosted the first-ever World Cup a century ago.
While the expansion could allow more nations to participate in the prestigious event, it also raises questions about logistical challenges and scheduling complexities. FIFA’s review of the proposal will likely involve detailed discussions on its feasibility and impact on the global football community.
