For anyone wondering what’s next for the World Cup’s format, FIFA has provided a clear answer: it’s not a 64-team tournament. The governing body has shut down a proposal for such an expansion for the 2030 edition, signaling a period of stability after the major leap to 48 teams in 2026.
The question of further expansion was raised by a formal proposal from South America’s Conmebol, which was presented to FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a meeting in New York. The confederation argued for a larger centenary tournament, driven by the desire for more qualification spots.
But the response from FIFA’s internal structures has been a firm ‘no’. The FIFA Council, which holds the authority on format changes, is reportedly united against the idea. The council’s members believe that a 64-team format would be a logistical and competitive disaster, damaging the very brand they are meant to protect.
This decision to hold the line at 48 teams provides a clear roadmap for the tournament’s immediate future. The focus for FIFA and its stakeholders will be on successfully implementing the 104-match, 48-team format, which is already a significant challenge. The 2030 tournament, with its unique six-country, three-continent model, is complex enough without adding another 24 teams.
The debate over the World Cup’s size is unlikely to go away forever. But for now, FIFA has decided that the next step is consolidation, not further expansion.