Overview
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Sunday, July 12, 2026, that relevant FIFA committees will formally examine a proposal to expand the men’s World Cup from 48 to 64 teams but no decision has been taken.
- The push for 64 teams began with CONMEBOL and Uruguayan official Ignacio Alonso and has been framed by supporters as a way to give more nations a realistic path to the finals and spur investment in smaller federations.
- A likely 64‑team format would use 16 groups of four with the top two advancing to a round of 32 and would increase the tournament from about 104 matches to roughly 128 matches, adding major scheduling and hosting demands.
- Opponents including UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin and some domestic leagues warn the change could dilute qualification, lessen competitive prestige, and worsen player welfare because of more fixtures.
- FIFA committees will study the proposal after the 2026 tournament and their review will shape qualification routes, commercial rights and how the 2030 hosts in Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay would stage matches.