FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hinted that the 2030 World Cup could expand to accommodate 64 teams, a dramatic increase from the 48-nation format currently scheduled. The proposal would reorganise the tournament into 16 groups of four teams, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout stage.
This structure would eliminate the third-place qualification system and add 24 additional matches to an already extensive schedule. The format would represent the most radical change to the tournament’s structure in decades, reverting to the straightforward top-two advancement system used between 1998 and 2022 rather than more complex qualification models.
Format and Schedule
The suggestion comes as FIFA prepares for the most geographically ambitious World Cup in history. The 2030 tournament, marking the competition’s centenary, is planned across 23 venues in six countries and three continents: Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
With the tournament already extended to six weeks and spread across multiple time zones, the additional fixtures would place further demands on players and logistics teams. However, the existing multi-continental hosting arrangement already requires extensive coordination, suggesting the infrastructure could accommodate the expanded field.
Rationale for Expansion
Infantino outlined the thinking behind the potential expansion in comments to Swiss media. “When organising a World Cup, it’s important to organise it for the whole world – not just Europe and South America – but effectively the entire world,” he said. He argued that “if you don’t give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they’ll lack the incentive to keep improving.”
The move aligns with FIFA’s broader pattern of increasing tournament sizes. For confederations in Africa, Asia and Oceania, the change could offer additional guaranteed qualification slots, reducing reliance on intercontinental playoffs for developing football nations.
Outstanding Questions
FIFA has not confirmed a timeline for any decision regarding the format, nor specified how qualification criteria would adjust to accommodate the additional 16 teams. The proposal remains under discussion, though Infantino’s public comments suggest serious consideration is being given to the expansion ahead of the tournament’s centenary edition.