CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez has seemingly confirmed that FIFA will expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, just days after the 2026 tournament concluded with Spain's victory over Argentina in New York.
In a post on X following the final, 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 tweet the day before the final, where he described the 64-team format as a "dream," indicating it was still under consideration.
FIFA President's Openness to Expansion
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously opened the door to expanding the tournament beyond the current 48-team format, which debuted in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Speaking to 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 every nation should be allowed to dream of participating, noting that the quality of teams is rising globally and that smaller countries need the incentive to improve.
Opposition from Other Football Confederations
The proposed expansion has not been universally welcomed. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin described the idea as a "bad idea," while Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation, warned it would cause "chaos" in international football. Despite this, Dominguez's recent comments suggest that a decision may have been made, even without an official FIFA announcement.
The 2030 World Cup will be a centenary edition, mainly hosted by Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, with additional matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to celebrate the tournament's 100-year history. The expansion to 64 teams would mark a significant increase from the 48 teams in 2026 and the 32 teams used from 1998 to 2022.
