FIFA abandon plans to expand 2030 World Cup to 64 teams

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reportedly dropped plans to expand the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 teams, according to a report by British newspaper The Times.

The proposal, which would have increased the number of participating nations from the current 48 to 64, is no longer being pursued, bringing an end to discussions about a further expansion of the tournament.

The idea had been floated as a possible way of making the centenary edition of the World Cup even bigger, with more countries given the opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage.

However, the reported decision means the 2030 tournament is expected to retain the 48-team format, which will be introduced at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 2030 edition will mark 100 years since the inaugural World Cup, staged in Uruguay in 1930.

Spain, Portugal and Morocco will jointly host the tournament, with Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay also set to stage one match each as part of the centenary celebrations.

FIFA has yet to publicly confirm the reported decision to abandon the proposed expansion.