FIFA has effectively shut down the ambitious proposal to expand the men’s World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 centenary edition. The decision comes despite a high-profile meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and a delegation of South American leaders in New York, where the idea was formally discussed. While FIFA maintains an official stance of being open to all stakeholder proposals, the reality behind the scenes is one of staunch opposition.
The summit took place at FIFA’s offices in Trump Tower, where Infantino met with the heads of state from Uruguay and Paraguay, along with the presidents of the Argentinian, Uruguayan, and Paraguayan football federations. They were there to champion a proposal first raised informally last year, seeking a dramatic increase from the 48-team format set to debut in 2026. The South American confederation, Conmebol, would be the primary beneficiary, potentially securing qualification for all 10 of its member nations.
However, the proposal is facing a wall of skepticism within FIFA’s own ranks. An inside source revealed that Infantino would not be able to get the required votes from the FIFA Council to pass such a measure. The prevailing sentiment, extending beyond just European members, is that a 64-team tournament would severely dilute the quality of the competition and ultimately harm the World Cup brand.
This internal resistance is bolstered by public criticism from influential figures. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has labeled the expansion a “bad idea,” warning it would diminish the quality of play and undermine the entire qualifying process. Similarly, Concacaf President Victor Montagliani expressed his disapproval, stating the concept “just doesn’t feel right.” Both men hold vice-presidential positions at FIFA, making their opposition significant.
The 2030 World Cup is already set to be a uniquely complex event, spanning three continents and six countries to celebrate the tournament’s 100th anniversary. Any further expansion to 128 matches—double the number played in Qatar—is seen as unviable and detrimental to the tournament’s prestige and business model. For now, the beautiful game will not be getting bigger.