Alejandro Dominguez, president of CONMEBOL, has stated that the 2030 World Cup will include 64 teams, a significant expansion from the 48-team format introduced in 2026. Dominguez made the announcement on social media shortly after Spain defeated Argentina in the 2026 final at MetLife Stadium in New York.
Dominguez Confirms Expansion
In a post on X, Dominguez wrote: "The next one is played at home! In 2030, the World Cup comes to Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, a great opportunity for soccer, to celebrate the Centenary of the World Cup with a competition featuring 64 teams." This statement contrasts with his earlier, less definitive remarks before the final, where he referred to the 64-team format as a "dream."
The 2030 tournament will be co-hosted by Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, with opening matches in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to mark the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup in Montevideo, Uruguay.
FIFA's Stance on Expansion
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has indicated openness to further expansion but emphasized that discussions are ongoing. In an interview with Blue Sport, Infantino said: "These are all issues that we will be examining after the World Cup. When organising a World Cup, it's important to organise it for the whole world - not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire world." He added that allowing smaller nations to dream of participating provides incentive for improvement.
Opposition from Football Bodies
The proposal has faced criticism. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin called it a "bad idea," while Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa warned it would create "chaos" in international football. Despite this, Dominguez's confident declaration suggests the expansion may be imminent.
