FIFA will explore the possibility of increasing the men's World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 tournament, according to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Infantino stated in an interview with Swiss news site Bluewin that the proposal would be reviewed by FIFA's relevant committees following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. This potential expansion follows the unprecedented shift to a 48-team format for the 2026 competition, which is the first time the tournament has featured more than 32 teams since its inception.

The FIFA President described the 48-team format of the current World Cup as a "huge success," asserting that it has significantly bolstered football's global reach. He highlighted the improved performances of traditionally smaller football nations, noting that teams from all continents scored goals and secured at least one point. "Nine out of 10 African teams reached the knockout stage," Infantino observed, contrasting this with previous tournaments.

When questioned about the prospect of a 64-team World Cup, Infantino indicated that the idea "will be examined and discussed." He expressed a vision for the global tournament to be inclusive, serving "the whole world" rather than solely the established football powers, and suggested that broader participation fosters higher quality of play. He argued that limiting opportunities for smaller nations diminishes their motivation for development.

While FIFA has not detailed a specific structure for a 64-team World Cup, a likely format would involve 16 groups of four teams, with the top two from each group advancing to a 32-team knockout stage. This structure would potentially increase the total number of matches from 104 in the 2026 tournament to 128, compared to the 64 games in the 32-team format previously used.

The concept of an expanded 2030 World Cup has found its strongest advocates in South America. Football officials from the continent view the 2030 tournament, which marks the World Cup's centenary, as an opportune moment to incorporate more national teams. CONMEBOL, South America's football confederation, which includes prominent nations like Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, is actively championing this proposal.

Discussions around an expanded World Cup format have been ongoing. The idea of increasing the number of participating teams has been a recurring theme in recent years, driven by a desire to promote football's growth across more regions and provide greater opportunities for developing football nations.

The eventual decision on the 2030 World Cup format will likely involve extensive deliberation among FIFA's committees, considering logistical, competitive, and developmental factors. The feedback from the 2026 World Cup will play a crucial role in shaping these discussions.