World Cup Expansion Talks: FIFA and CONMEBOL Consider Boosting Team Count to 64

World Championship to 64 teams, with argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay set to host opening matches in 2030.">

September 24, 2025

New york – Alejandro Domínguez, Chairman of the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol), has revealed discussions with FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding a meaningful expansion of the World Championship. These negotiations centered on increasing the tournament’s participation to 64 nations. Domínguez announced the talks following a meeting in New York, sharing the news on his Instagram account.

Push for Expansion Gains Momentum

According to reports from Argentine newspaper La Nación,the initiative to broaden the World Championship’s scope originated with Infantino,who voiced strong support for the proposal. The meeting also included the Presidents of Paraguay and Uruguay, countries slated to co-host matches during the 2030 tournament.

the 2030 World Championship is scheduled to be jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. A unique element of the competition will see the first three matches played in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay – a tribute to the tournament’s origins, as Uruguay hosted the inaugural World Championship in 1930.

We believe in a historic 2030 World Cup! Thanks President Gianni Infantino for receiving us and sharing this path to the centenary of the biggest football party.

We want to call unity, creativity and to believe in great. Because when football is lived between …pic.twitter.com/XANKxNLf5J

– Alejandro Domínguez (@agdws) September 24, 2025

A Gradual Increase in World Cup Teams

conmebol initially presented the idea of expanding the World Championship this past March. This expansion follows a precedent set by the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, and will feature 48 teams – a significant increase from the traditional 32-team format.

Here’s a look at the evolution of world Cup team numbers:

Year	Host Nation(s)	Number of Teams
1930	Uruguay	13
1950	Brazil	16
1982	Spain	24
1998	France	32
2026	Canada, Mexico, United States	48
2030	Morocco, Portugal, Spain & Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay	64 (Proposed)

Did You Know? The expansion to 48 teams in 2026 is designed to give more nations access to the World Cup, promoting global football advancement.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on FIFA’s official announcements for detailed information on the qualifying procedures for the expanded format.

The Evolving Landscape of International Football

The push to expand the World Championship reflects a broader trend towards inclusivity and growth within international football. More teams participating means increased revenue, broader fan engagement, and opportunities for emerging footballing nations to compete on a global stage.However, it also raises questions about maintaining the prestige and competitive balance of the tournament, topics which FIFA and the confederations will continue to address as plans evolve. FIFA official website provides insights into the future plans.

Frequently Asked Questions About the World Championship Expansion

• What is the proposed new number of teams for the World Championship? The proposed expansion would increase the number of participating teams to 64.
• Which countries will host the opening matches of the 2030 World Championship? Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay will host the first three matches.
• When will the 2030 World Championship take place? The tournament is scheduled for 2030 and will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.
• What prompted this discussion about expanding the World Championship? Conmebol initially proposed the expansion in March, gaining support from FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
• What is the significance of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay hosting opening matches? These countries are honoring the tournament’s origins, as Uruguay hosted the first World Championship in 1930.

What are your thoughts on expanding the World Championship? Do you believe a larger tournament will benefit the sport as a whole?

Share your opinions in the comments below and join the discussion!

How might the success of the 2026 48-team World Cup influence FIFA’s decision regarding a further expansion to 64 teams?

The Proposal: A Larger Stage for Global Football

Discussions are intensifying between FIFA and CONMEBOL regarding a notable expansion of the FIFA World Cup, potentially increasing the number of participating teams from the current 32 to 64. This proposal, gaining traction in late 2025, aims to broaden the tournament’s global reach and inclusivity. The core argument centers around providing more opportunities for nations currently underrepresented in football’s premier competition. This potential shift in World Cup format is a major talking point within the international football community.

Why the Push for Expansion? CONMEBOL’s Leading Role

CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, has been a vocal advocate for a larger World Cup. Their reasoning is multi-faceted:

* Increased Representation: CONMEBOL believes a 64-team World Cup would allow more of it’s member associations a realistic pathway to qualification. Currently, South America has a limited number of guaranteed spots.

* Global Development: Expanding the tournament is seen as a catalyst for football development in emerging markets. More nations participating means increased investment in infrastructure and youth programs.

* Fairness and Inclusivity: The current system is perceived by some as favoring established footballing nations. A larger tournament could level the playing field.

* Revenue generation: A 64-team FIFA World Cup is projected to generate significantly higher revenue thru broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales.

The 2026 World Cup: A Stepping Stone?

The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will already feature 48 teams. This serves as a crucial test case for FIFA. The success (or challenges) of the 48-team format will heavily influence the decision regarding a further expansion to 64. Analyzing the logistical complexities of the 48-team World Cup 2026 – stadium capacity,travel arrangements,and scheduling – is paramount.

Potential Formats for a 64-Team World Cup

Several format options are being considered. Here are a few prominent proposals:

1. Eight Groups of Eight: This would maintain the traditional group stage format but with larger groups. Concerns exist about the length of the tournament and potential for less competitive matches.
2. Sixteen Groups of Four: Similar to the current format, but doubled in scale. This is considered a more manageable option from a logistical standpoint.
3. Play-off Rounds: Introducing preliminary play-off rounds involving lower-ranked teams to narrow the field down to 64 before the group stage begins. This could add excitement and provide more competitive opportunities.

Each World Cup qualification pathway would need significant adjustments under any of these formats.

Impact on European Teams & UEFA’s Position

UEFA,the European Football Confederation,has historically been more cautious about expansion. Concerns include:

* Dilution of Quality: Some argue that increasing the number of teams could lower the overall quality of the tournament.

* Reduced European Representation: While Europe currently has a significant number of guaranteed spots, expansion could potentially reduce their share.

* Scheduling Conflicts: A longer tournament could create scheduling conflicts with domestic leagues and other international competitions.

Though, UEFA’s stance is evolving, and negotiations are ongoing to find a compromise that addresses their concerns. The UEFA Nations League and its impact on international scheduling are key considerations.

Logistical Challenges: Stadiums, Infrastructure, and Travel

A 64-team World Cup presents significant logistical hurdles:

* Stadium Capacity: Sufficiently large and modern stadiums are required to accommodate the increased number of matches.

* Infrastructure: Host nations must have adequate transportation, accommodation, and interaction infrastructure.

* Travel: The increased travel demands on players and fans could be substantial, particularly if the tournament is hosted across multiple countries.

* Tournament Length: A 64-team tournament would inevitably be longer, potentially impacting player fatigue and the overall flow of the competition.

Financial Implications: Revenue and Costs

the financial implications of expansion are substantial.

* Increased Revenue: FIFA anticipates a significant increase in revenue from broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales. Estimates suggest a potential revenue boost of billions of dollars.

* Increased Costs: Hosting a larger tournament will also be more expensive, requiring significant investment in infrastructure and security.

* Distribution of Funds: The distribution of increased revenue to member associations is a key point of negotiation. CONMEBOL is pushing for a fairer share for South American nations. FIFA finances and revenue sharing models are under scrutiny.

Past Precedent: World Cup Evolution

The World Cup has undergone several expansions throughout its history:

* 1930: 13 teams participated in the inaugural tournament.

* 1950: The tournament expanded to 24 teams.

* 1982: The field increased to 24 teams.

* 1998: The most recent expansion to 32 teams.

Each expansion has