CONMEBOL pushes for expanded role in 2030 World Cup
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has submitted a proposal to FIFA calling for a larger share of matches on its continent during the 2030 World Cup and an extraordinary expansion of the tournament to 64 teams.
Under the current agreement, only three opening fixtures are scheduled to take place in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, the nations chosen to symbolically mark the centenary of the competition’s first edition in Montevideo in 1930.
The remainder of the tournament is set to be hosted jointly by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
CONMEBOL, however, is pressing for each of the three South American nations to host a full group stage, meaning a minimum of six matches in each country.
The confederation argues that this would strengthen the commemorative spirit of the event and highlight the origins of football’s biggest tournament.
Alongside the push for more matches on South American soil, CONMEBOL has also suggested expanding the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64 teams.
The organisation describes this as a one-off gesture to mark the centenary with a broader and more inclusive format.
The proposal has been met with strong resistance from other football bodies, notably UEFA and CONCACAF.
Critics argue that a further expansion would create severe logistical and financial challenges while reducing the overall level of competition.
Faced with this opposition, CONMEBOL has signalled that its main priority remains securing more fixtures in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, while the idea of extending the number of teams is secondary.
FIFA is expected to examine the proposals in the coming months.
While an increase to 64 participants appears unlikely due to widespread resistance, a compromise that allows a greater share of matches to be staged in South America is seen as possible.
Such a move would honour the tournament’s birthplace, returning more of the centenary celebrations to the continent where the World Cup began nearly a century ago.
