FIFA president Gianni Infantino has stated that the organization will definitely discuss expanding the World Cup to 64 teams, a major potential change announced on the eve of the England semi-final in the 2026 tournament. Infantino believes the current 48-team format has been a huge success.
Infantino Praises 48-Team Format
Speaking to Swiss publication Bluewin, Infantino said: "Yes, 100 per cent! It's been a huge success with 48 teams. Every team played at a high level. Teams from every continent scored goals and earned at least one point." He highlighted that nine out of ten African teams reached the knockout stage, compared to only five African teams at the last World Cup. "That just goes to show how important it is to include all teams—to give them this opportunity to participate," he added.
Potential Expansion to 64 Teams
When asked about a further increase to 64 teams, Infantino confirmed: "That's definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup." He emphasized the need to organize the tournament for the whole world, not just Europe and South America, stating: "Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup." He noted that the quality of teams is rising globally, and giving smaller countries a chance incentivizes improvement.
History of World Cup Expansion
The World Cup has grown significantly since its inception. Early editions featured between 13 and 16 teams, increasing to 24 in 1982 and then to 32 in 1998, a number that remained for almost three decades until the 2026 tournament. Infantino, who previously oversaw the expansion of the European Championship from 16 to 24 teams as UEFA Secretary General, has championed expansion since becoming FIFA president.
Current Tournament Context
The 2026 World Cup is down to the final four teams, with England facing Argentina on Wednesday and France playing Spain on Tuesday. The semi-finals are set to take place in the United States. Infantino's comments come as the tournament nears its conclusion, with the potential for a further doubling in size from the 2022 edition to the 2030 tournament.
