​FIFA president Gianni Infantino envisions the possibility of expanding the men’s World Cup field to 64 nations and believes the notion should be seriously considered after this tournament concludes. The 2026 edition has already increased the field from 32 to 48 teams, but with the current format, eight teams finishing third in their groups advance to a new round of 32. Expanding to 64 teams would not add more matches for individual teams and would restore the idea that only the top two teams from each group advance, rather than including additional third-placed qualifiers.
Infantino stressed that the World Cup should be accessible to the entire globe, not just Europe and South America. In comments reported by the Swiss portal blue Sport on Saturday, the FIFA president suggested that the dream of participating in the World Cup should extend to nations from all regions, reflecting a broader and more inclusive vision for the tournament.
As the Qatar 2022 and subsequent 2026 editions have shown, the ongoing competition in North America has offered fertile ground for a positive assessment amid concerns that too many non-competitive teams might qualify. Infantino described the expansion as a “huge success,” asserting that the quality of competing teams is consistently rising across the world. He noted that the overall standard of play has been elevated and continues to improve as the tournament progresses.
The current expansion schedule has resulted in a record 104 matches being staged over five weeks during this edition. To reach 64 teams, the World Cup would require a total of 128 matches, highlighting the significant increase in match volume that such an expansion would entail. Looking ahead, the 2030 World Cup will be hosted by a joint hosting arrangement involving Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. In South America, officials have already proposed the 64-team format as a potential direction for the future, signaling ongoing discussions about how many nations can compete at the world’s premier football showcase. Infantino’s remarks contribute to a broader debate about the structure, reach, and longevity of the World Cup as FIFA continues to weigh the benefits and logistical implications of a larger tournament field.