Infantino opens door to 64-team World Cup
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has indicated that the governing body may consider expanding the men's World Cup to 64 teams in the future. The proposal aims to increase global representation, reflecting Infantino's vision of football serving the entire world.
FIFA is expected to begin a formal assessment of a 64-team World Cup format following the conclusion of the 2026 tournament. The 2026 edition is already set to feature a record 48 teams, marking a significant increase from the traditional 32-team structure.
Gianni Infantino defended the potential for further expansion by stating that the sport needs to be inclusive "for the whole world." Proponents of the move argue it would provide more developing nations with the opportunity to compete at the highest level of international football.
Technical and logistical evaluations will determine if the tournament can sustain additional growth without compromising player welfare or match quality. The source for this development is the FIFA administration via recent public statements.
