1. FIFA’s Bold Move: Could the FIFA World Cup 2030 Expand to 64 Teams?
Soccer fans, brace yourselves—FIFA is once again shaking things up. The global soccer governing body is seriously considering a jaw-dropping expansion of the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, doubling the size of the 2022 tournament in Qatar. This bombshell idea, floated during a FIFA council meeting on March 5, 2025, comes from Uruguay’s soccer federation president, Ignacio Alonso.
image: fifa worldcup qatar 2022 winner argentina
With the 2030 tournament marking the 100th anniversary of the World Cup, it’s being pitched as a one-off celebration of the sport’s biggest stage. But as exciting as this sounds, it’s sparking heated debates about logistics, finances, and the future of soccer. Let’s dive into what this means, why it’s happening, and whether it’s a genius move or a recipe for chaos.
2. A Centennial Celebration or a Logistical Nightmare?
The 2030 World Cup is already set to be a historic event, sprawling across six countries and three continents—Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The plan starts with one game each in the South American trio to honor the tournament’s 1930 debut in Uruguay, before shifting to Europe and Africa for the bulk of the action. Expanding to 64 teams would turn this into a 128-match marathon, up from the 104 games already planned for the 48-team format debuting in 2026 across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the idea “interesting” and promised a closer look, but the reaction from council members was stunned silence. And who can blame them? Organizing a 48-team event is already a colossal challenge—imagine adding 16 more teams, stretching transport networks, stadiums, and schedules to the breaking point.
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Read this ArticleThink about it: the 2022 World Cup, with 32 teams, wrapped up in about a month. A 64-team tournament could push that timeline even further, testing the patience of players, fans, and broadcasters alike. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco would shoulder most of the load, hosting over 100 matches in 39 days under the current plan.
More teams mean more games, more travel, and more strain on local facilities. Saudi Arabia, set to host in 2034, might struggle to match this scale later. Critics argue it could dilute the competition’s prestige, turning tight qualification battles into a free-for-all where over a quarter of FIFA’s 211 members could join the party.
3. Why 64 Teams in FIFA Worldcup 2030? Follow the Money and Politics:
image: fifa president gianni infantino
So why even consider this? For FIFA, it’s all about the Benjamins—or rather, the billions. The World Cup is the most lucrative event in sports, raking in massive revenue from TV rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales.
Infantino, who’s been FIFA’s boss since 2016, has a track record of chasing cash and clout. He’s already bumped the tournament from 32 to 48 teams for 2026, promising bigger payouts to FIFA’s member associations—his electorate. A 64-team World Cup could mean even more money to spread around, solidifying his legacy as the guy who super-sized soccer.
But there’s a political angle too. Uruguay’s proposal, delivered in a prepared English speech by Alonso, feels less spontaneous than FIFA claims. Some suspect Infantino might’ve nudged this idea along behind closed doors. After all, he’s cozying up to power players like Donald Trump, who dubbed him the “king of soccer” and got an invite to the 2026 final in New Jersey.
The 2030 South American hosts—Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay—are also frustrated. They’re getting automatic spots despite spotty qualification records (looking at you, Paraguay), and a bigger tournament might ease regional tensions. It’s a classic Infantino move: blend financial gain with strategic alliances.
4. Gianni Infantino’s Legacy of Change:
This isn’t Infantino’s first rodeo. Since taking over after a corruption scandal ousted FIFA’s old guard, he’s been a whirlwind of reform. He’s expanded the women’s World Cup, launched a new club World Cup for 2025, and even floated a biennial World Cup—shot down after a fierce backlash from Europe’s soccer powers. Now, with the 2030 proposal, he’s at it again.
FIFA says it’s just “analyzing” the idea, but history suggests Infantino doesn’t back down easily. Remember when he teamed up with Coldplay for a Super Bowl-style halftime show at the 2026 final? Critics groaned, but he’s pushing ahead, Miami office and all.
The 64-team pitch fits his pattern: bold, revenue-driven, and divisive. Supporters say it’s a fitting tribute to the World Cup’s centenary, giving more nations a shot at glory. Imagine underdogs from Africa or Asia lighting up the global stage—soccer’s inclusivity at its finest.
Yet detractors warn it risks turning a sleek, elite competition into a bloated mess, where qualification loses meaning. South America already sends seven of ten teams to 2026—expand further, and the stakes could vanish.
5. Can It Work? The Pros and Cons:
Let’s weigh this out. On the plus side, a 64-team World Cup could be a soccer bonanza. More matches mean more drama, more Cinderella stories, and more eyeballs glued to screens worldwide.
The format—16 groups of four, then a 32-team knockout—might even feel smoother than the clunky 48-team setup. For fans, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, a century of soccer celebrated with unprecedented scale.
But the downsides loom large. Logistically, it’s a beast. Airports, hotels, and stadiums in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco would face unrelenting pressure. Players could burn out from the grueling schedule, and broadcasters might balk if the quality dips with too many minnows.
The 2026 organizers in North America are already sweating the 48-team logistics—64 teams in 2030 could be a breaking point. And what about 2034? Saudi Arabia might not keep up, leaving this a one-off experiment that disrupts the tournament’s rhythm.
6. What’s Next for FIFA Worldcup?
FIFA hasn’t laid out a clear roadmap yet. They’ll “study” the proposal, but who decides and when remains murky. The last big shift, ditching a biennial World Cup, took a year before fizzling out. This could follow a similar path: hype, analysis, then a quiet retreat if the backlash grows.
Infantino might bulldoze ahead, banking on the centenary buzz to silence doubters. Meanwhile, FIFA’s also eyeing a 48-team Women’s World Cup for 2031, likely in the U.S., showing their expansion obsession isn’t slowing down.
For now, soccer fans are left buzzing. Is a 64-team World Cup a visionary leap or a reckless gamble? It’s got the potential to redefine the beautiful game, or stretch it beyond recognition. One thing’s for sure: with Infantino at the helm, FIFA’s not afraid to dream big, consequences be damned.
What do you think, should the World Cup go supersized for its 100th birthday? Drop your take in the comments!😁👁️👁️
FIFA’s Bold Move: Could the 2030 World Cup Expand to 64 Teams?