FIFA considers expanding 2030 World Cup to 64 teams amid South American push

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

On Tuesday, FIFA discussed a proposal to expand the men's World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, following an official request from a delegation of senior South American leaders, according to The New York Times.

The delegation included the presidents of Paraguay and Uruguay, along with senior football officials from the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and the president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA).

At FIFA headquarters in New York's Trump Tower, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Matthias Grafstrom received the visiting officials, who represented Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Alejandro Domínguez, CONMEBOL President and FIFA Vice President, led the talks alongside Paraguayan President Santiago Peña and Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi. They were joined by AFA President Claudio Fabián Tapia, Paraguayan Football Association President Robert Harrison, and Uruguayan Football Association President Ignacio Alonso.

Argentina's President, Javier Milei, was absent as he was meeting U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss Argentina's economic crisis. More meetings on the 2030 World Cup are scheduled this week.

A surprise proposal

The idea of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams was first raised by Alonso during a FIFA Council meeting in March. The surprise proposal prompted debate, though FIFA has said it remains open to considering new ideas.

At the FIFA Congress held in May in Paraguay, Domínguez urged FIFA to adopt a unique approach for the tournament's centennial. "As we get closer to the date, we must reiterate that this cannot be just another event, it cannot be just another World Cup. We believe this is a once-in-a-century opportunity", he said in a video posted on social media.

Infantino echoed that sentiment: "I want to underline the words of Alejandro. He told all of us to think on how we can really celebrate it in the way it deserves to be celebrated. So every idea is a good idea".

Paraguay's President Peña also posted a video from the meeting, declaring: "We want to challenge ourselves. Encourage us to dream and dream big. I say it with great humility but huge responsibility: Paraguay stands ready. It wants to be a protagonist".

Infantino appeared in the same clip encouraging attendees: "Today, we really start working together as a team to make history. Working together to see how we can do something the world will not forget, because the people deserve it".

Strong opposition

Still, the proposal has met with resistance. UEFA President and FIFA Vice President Aleksander Čeferin warned the expansion could harm the tournament and dilute the drama of qualifying. CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani was equally critical: "It's not a great idea. We haven't even kicked the ball for the 48 (team format), and obviously they can study all they want, but it just doesn't feel right".

The World Cup has gradually expanded over the decades, from 16 teams to 24 in 1982, to 32 in 1998, and to 48 for the 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Any decision to go further would require FIFA Council approval.

The 2030 World Cup is already set to be the largest in FIFA's history, spanning three continents and six countries. Opening matches will be staged in Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina, before the tournament moves to Morocco, Spain, and Portugal for the remainder of the competition.