Overview
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Sunday that relevant FIFA committees will formally examine a CONMEBOL‑backed plan to expand the men's World Cup from 48 to 64 teams after the 2026 tournament ends.
- A move to 64 teams would add 16 nations and increase the full tournament to roughly 128 matches while simplifying the group stage into 16 groups of four with the top two advancing.
- CONMEBOL figures including Ignacio Alonso and president Alejandro Domínguez advanced the idea as a centenary one‑off for 2030 meant to give South American hosts fuller roles.
- Opponents such as UEFA and some confederation leaders warn expansion could dilute qualification, produce more uneven matches, overload the match calendar and worsen player‑welfare and club scheduling pressures.
- No decision has been made; any change would depend on committee reports and FIFA Council approval and would alter how Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay are used in 2030.