REVEALED: FIFA considering expansion of 2030 World Cup to 64 teams

Football’s global governing body, FIFA, is considering a proposal to expand the 2030 Men’s World Cup to 64 teams, doubling the number that participated in the 2022 edition in Qatar.

The idea was informally introduced during a FIFA Council meeting on March 5, 2025, under the “any other business” agenda item.

“A proposal to increase the number of teams to 64 for the Centenary Edition in 2030 was spontaneously raised by a member of the FIFA Council towards the end of the meeting,” FIFA said in a statement a day after its meeting.

“The idea was taken into consideration because FIFA is committed to analysing any proposal from any of its members.”

According to two sources familiar with the matter, the proposal was put forward by Uruguayan FIFA Council member Ignacio Alonso.

The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions.

Uruguay, which hosted and won the inaugural World Cup in 1930, will host a match in the centenary edition of the tournament.

The first expanded 48-team World Cup is set to take place in 2026 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The 2030 edition, already set to be larger, will be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with ceremonial matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.