Potential World Cup expansion to 64 teams to be discussed after 2026 edition: FIFA President Infantino
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has indicated that the governing body will consider further expanding the World Cup to 64 teams following the 2026 tournament. The proposal aims to increase global participation while addressing the logistical challenges of hosting larger international competitions.
During a recent address, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the possibility of expanding the FIFA World Cup to 64 teams will be formally examined by committees after the 2026 edition. This follows the upcoming increase to 48 teams, which is set to debut at the tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Infantino noted that while expansion provides more opportunities for nations to compete on the global stage, it also introduces significant logistical hurdles. Longer tournament durations and the need for more specialized infrastructure remain primary concerns for the governing body.
Official discussions will focus on how these changes might impact the selection of future hosts, as fewer countries currently possess the capacity to manage a 64-team event. FIFA will evaluate these factors internally to determine the feasibility of the proposal in the coming years, citing source information from the FIFA President.
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