2030 FIFA World Cup could feature 64 teams – CONMEBOL president hints

The 2030 FIFA World Cup is poised to become the biggest tournament in the competition’s history after CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez announced that the centenary edition will feature an unprecedented expansion from 48 to 64 participating nations.

If approved, the move would mark another landmark change to football’s flagship tournament, coming just one edition after the World Cup expanded from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Domínguez revealed the proposal as preparations continue for the historic 2030 World Cup, which will celebrate 100 years since the inaugural FIFA World Cup was staged in Uruguay in 1930.

The centenary tournament is set to begin with commemorative matches in South America, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay hosting the opening fixtures to honour the birthplace of the competition.

Following those celebrations, the tournament will shift to its main host nations of Spain, Portugal and Morocco, which will stage the remainder of the competition.

The proposed increase to 64 teams would provide more countries with the opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage than ever before, potentially creating additional qualification places across FIFA’s six continental confederations.

It would also significantly increase the number of matches and further expand the global reach of the tournament.

The announcement represents another ambitious step in FIFA’s ongoing efforts to broaden participation in the World Cup.

The governing body had already approved a 48-team format for the 2026 edition, making the proposed expansion to 64 teams for 2030 an even more dramatic shift in the tournament’s structure.

The 2030 World Cup will also be unique in its geographical scope, becoming the first edition to be hosted across three continents. The tournament will span Europe, Africa and South America, reflecting its symbolic significance as football celebrates a century of World Cup history.

While the proposal has generated excitement over the prospect of more nations participating, it is expected to spark debate over scheduling, player welfare, travel demands and the overall competitiveness of the tournament.

Further details on the proposed format and qualification process are expected to emerge as FIFA continues discussions ahead of the historic centenary edition.

If ratified, the 2030 FIFA World Cup would become the largest tournament ever staged, ushering in a new era for international football while commemorating 100 years of the world’s most prestigious sporting event.