FIFA president discusses potential expansion of World Cup to 64 teams

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has indicated that a further expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 64 teams will be formally discussed following the conclusion of the 2026 tournament. The 2026 event currently features 48 teams, an increase from the previous format of 32. Infantino stated that the expansion to 48 teams has been a success, challenging previous concerns regarding a potential decline in competitive quality. He argued that the change allows more nations beyond Europe and South America to participate. Under the proposed 64-team model, the tournament would revert to a format where only the top two teams from each group advance, potentially simplifying the current structure. While the number of matches each team plays would remain unchanged, the total number of games in the tournament would increase significantly from the 104 matches currently scheduled for 2026. Official deliberations on this potential shift are expected to begin after the current tournament ends.