The first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup has only just concluded, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino has already acknowledged that the tournament could one day expand to 64 teams.
Speaking to Swiss television during the tournament, Infantino said the proposal is one of several ideas that could be explored after the competition, reigniting debate over the future size of football’s biggest event.
Bigger Tournament, Bigger Financial Impact
A 64-team World Cup would have major financial implications for global football.
Making qualification easier for more nations could reduce the commercial value of regional qualifying tournaments while increasing the importance—and financial influence—of FIFA’s flagship competition.
If broadcasters place less value on qualifiers, continental confederations could become increasingly reliant on FIFA funding, potentially shifting more power to the world governing body.
UEFA and AFC Oppose Further Expansion
The proposal has already drawn criticism from leading football officials.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin reiterated his opposition, saying:
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for the World Cup itself, and it’s not a good idea for our qualifiers either.”
Similarly, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa has questioned where continuous expansion would eventually end.
FIFA has not officially commented further on the proposal.
Infantino Defends Greater Global Inclusion
Infantino argued that expanding the tournament would provide more opportunities for smaller football nations.
According to him, a truly global World Cup should not be limited to Europe and South America, and broader participation would encourage developing football nations to continue improving.
Organisational Challenges of a 64-Team World Cup
Expanding from 48 to 64 teams would significantly increase the tournament’s scale.
If FIFA retains the current format, the competition would feature:
- 128 matches instead of 104
- Around one additional week of competition
- More stadiums and training facilities
- Increased hotel capacity
- Expanded transportation networks
- Thousands of additional volunteers and operational staff
The logistical demands would be considerably greater than those of the current tournament.
Impact on Future Hosts
The 2030 FIFA World Cup will be hosted mainly by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to celebrate the tournament’s centenary.
Accommodating 64 teams across six host nations would present an enormous organisational challenge.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, the sole host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, already faces scheduling complexities due to the timing of Ramadan, which could require another reshaping of the international football calendar.
Pressure on Domestic Football
An expanded World Cup could place additional strain on an already crowded football schedule.
Domestic leagues around the world—including Japan’s J-League and Major League Soccer (MLS)—are increasingly adopting the traditional August-to-May calendar, making any future winter World Cup more disruptive than ever.
Rising Costs for National Teams
Longer tournaments also mean higher costs for participating nations.
For example, the French Football Federation expected to spend around €24.5 million during this year’s World Cup, with officials noting that reaching at least the semi-finals was necessary to avoid financial losses.
Football associations have called on FIFA to provide greater financial support if future tournaments become even larger.
Player Welfare Concerns
Another major issue is player welfare.
A 64-team tournament would increase the number of matches, adding further workload to elite footballers who already face packed domestic and international schedules.
Critics also warn that further expansion could affect:
- Competitive balance
- Tournament quality
- Fan travel costs
- The prestige and exclusivity of the FIFA World Cup
Future of the Proposal
Whether FIFA ultimately moves ahead with a 64-team World Cup may depend on how the first 48-team tournament is evaluated.
For now, the proposal remains under discussion, but it has already sparked fresh debate about balancing global inclusion with sporting quality, financial sustainability, and the long-term future of international football.