FIFA is reportedly exploring the idea of expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams as part of plans to mark the tournament’s 100th anniversary, according to a report from The New York Times.
The 2030 edition is scheduled to take place across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, host of the inaugural 1930 tournament set to stage three special opening matches.
FIFA had already increased the number of teams for the 2026 World Cup from 32 to 48, with that tournament set to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
As per The New York Times, Ignacio Alonso, a Uruguayan delegate, put forward the proposal to expand the tournament further during the final moments of a FIFA meeting.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly acknowledged the suggestion as “an interesting one that warrants further analysis,” according to four sources familiar with the discussion.
If approved, the expansion would mark another major increase in team participation, following the jump from 32 to 48 teams in 2026. A move to 64 teams would likely require adjustments in logistics, scheduling, and venue selection, given the already extensive multi-nation hosting arrangement. FIFA has yet to release an official statement on the matter.
