​I’m reworking my thoughts about FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup to 64 teams. At first, I worried that adding so many nations would dilute the level of play and dull the drama. Those fears now seem unfounded. The tournament never felt watered down; if anything, it felt more vibrant and competitive than ever. Rather than trimming back to 32 teams, the event now appears poised to accommodate a full 64, and Gianni Infantino has vigorously championed this expansion. In a conversation with the Swiss outlet Bluewin, he insisted that the new format works brilliantly, and the results have delivered a thrilling final quartet that fans were eager to see.
Neutral observers should be excited by the upcoming matchups. Spain and France are set to collide deep in the heart of Texas, while England faces Argentina on a Wednesday night in Atlanta. These games are primed to become major box office draws, and the 64-team structure has delivered exactly what the sport needed. Spain, for their part, have grown steadily throughout the tournament, conceding only a single goal on their path to the semifinals—a defensive masterclass that brings to mind their 2010 triumph under Vicente del Bosque. That team dominated possession in a similarly dominant fashion, and Spain’s quiet, methodical ascent has been impressive to watch from week to week.
France has been almost Napoleonic in their dominance, sweeping aside challengers with apparent ease. Every match looked straightforward for the French side, even against formidable opponents. Both Spain and France have been the standout teams of this World Cup, and now they are set to renew what looks like the tournament’s marquee clash. The semifinals and final are shaping up to be big money, big storytelling events, and the expansion’s success seems evident in every sensational matchup.
Many critics worried that expanding to 64 would reduce the stakes on the final day of the group stage or water down the competition. Yet the last round-robin phase proved otherwise, preserving quality and heightening tension in the knockout rounds. The format, with its added quantity of teams, actually generated more high-stakes moments and more opportunities for nations to shine on the world stage. It’s hard to argue with the outcome: a tournament that felt intense from start to finish, with only a few one-game blips, and a competition that kept interest high across the globe.
Infantino’s push for 64 teams now seems entirely reasonable. The 48-team model proved it could handle volume, without diluting talent or excitement, and the strongest evidence is in how the tournament has played out. Spain and France have been the two best teams, headlining a semifinal that promises to be a true spectacle for fans around the world. England and Argentina also bring massive fanbases and storylines to Atlanta, underscoring the idea that more participants can strengthen the event rather than weaken it. There was a fear that adding teams would flatten the drama, but the opposite has happened: more teams have meant more chances for intense, meaningful clashes and a broader celebration of talent from across the globe.
As for the path forward, FIFA seems primed to adopt the 64-team plan for 2030. Infantino has already been vocal in support, and the tournament this year has given the expansion a strong, tangible validation. The world will likely see even more nations involved in the next edition, and fans should expect a broader, more diverse field of competitors delivering high-stakes soccer at the sport’s pinnacle. In short, the expansion has earned its keep: it’s produced top-tier football, marquee matchups, and a narrative that captures the global enthusiasm for the beautiful game.