64‑Team World Cup? Infantino Says It’s on the Table

Sun Sep 06 2026 19:29:15 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino hints at a 64‑team World Cup after 48‑team success, sparking debate on expansion, host logistics and global inclusion.

Infantino says a 64‑team World Cup is possible after the 2026 tournament proves 48 teams can compete together. He argues a bigger competition gives every nation a chance to dream and boosts revenue. UEFA, AFC and other confederations warn it would create chaos and hurt fairness, while some feel it could energise football worldwide. FIFA will evaluate the proposal after 2026, keeping the debate alive.

World‑Cup Expansion Talks Heat Up

After the 2026 tournament, 48 teams proved the format works, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino says the successful experiment shows a 64‑team World Cup could happen.

Infantino stresses that every nation deserves a chance to dream of wrestling for the trophy. “If the world doesn’t get a place, there’s no incentive to improve,” he told Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport.

The proposal stirs discussion among football councils. UEFA’s Aleksander Ceferin and AFC’s Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa describe the idea as “bad” or a source of chaos, citing tougher qualifying and more games.

While some officials worry about logistics, others see a broader spread of teams as a way to boost revenue and global interest. FIFA will weigh these views after the tournament and decide whether expanding to 64 teams is feasible.