Zurich: FIFA is assessing the potential impact of expanding the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 participating teams, a proposal that would significantly increase the size of the tournament beyond the planned 48-team format for the 2026 edition.
According to football officials, the governing body is examining the sporting, logistical and financial implications of such an expansion. The review includes factors such as the match schedule, tournament organization, player workload and the readiness of host nations to accommodate a larger competition.
No final decision has been announced, and FIFA has indicated that the proposal remains under evaluation. Any change to the tournament structure would require approval through the organization’s decision-making process.
The 2030 World Cup is expected to be a historic edition, with matches planned across multiple countries and continents to mark the competition’s centenary. If approved, a 64-team tournament would become the largest World Cup in the event’s history.
