FIFA is discussing a historic expansion of the men’s World Cup to 64 teams in 2030, following a high-profile meeting in New York with South American leaders and football executives.
FIFA Holds World Cup Discussions at Trump Tower
On Tuesday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and general secretary Mattias Grafstrom welcomed a delegation from Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay to their offices at Trump Tower.
The group, led by CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez, also included Paraguay’s president Santiago Pena and Uruguay’s Orsi Yamandu, as well as football chiefs Robert Harrison (Paraguay), Nacho Alonso (Uruguay), and AFA president Chiqui Tapia.
Argentina’s president Javier Milei did not attend, with reports placing him in Washington for talks with Donald Trump amid Argentina’s economic crisis.
Why a 64-Team World Cup in 2030 is Being Proposed
The idea of a one-off 64-team format was first floated in March by Uruguay FA president Ignacio Alonso during a FIFA Council meeting.
Dominguez later pushed the proposal at CONMEBOL’s congress, arguing that the centenary World Cup deserves a unique celebration.
“This cannot be a normal World Cup,” Domínguez said in New York. “It is a once-in-100-years opportunity.”
FIFA has already expanded the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams from the traditional 32-team format.
The 2030 tournament already carries symbolic weight, with opening matches planned for Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay — the region where the first-ever World Cup was staged in 1930.
The bulk of the competition, however, will take place in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
What a 64-Team World Cup Could Mean
If approved, the expansion would see more than 30% of FIFA’s 211 national teams qualify. The concept reportedly includes each South American host nation staging at least one group.
This would be the latest in a long line of expansions:
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16 teams until 1982
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24 teams from 1982 to 1994
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32 teams from 1998 to 2022
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48 teams from 2026 (USA, Canada, Mexico)
A 64-team format would make 2030 the biggest men’s World Cup in history.
Opposition From UEFA and Concacaf
Not everyone is on board. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has branded the 64-team plan “a bad idea”, warning it would dilute competition and damage qualification.
Concacaf chief Victor Montagliani also opposed it: “It’s not a great idea. We haven’t even kicked the ball for the 48-team format, and obviously they can study all they want, but it just doesn’t feel right.”
What Happens Next?
FIFA has stressed it must evaluate any formal proposal submitted through its council. While Infantino appeared receptive in the meeting, telling delegates “we start working together as a team to make history”, no formal commitment has yet been made.
Further talks are expected this week in New York as FIFA explores how best to mark the centenary World Cup.
