Infantino to Assess 64-Team World Cup After 2026 as 48-Team Format Wins Backing
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 12
Infantino to Assess 64-Team World Cup After 2026 as 48-Team Format Wins Backing
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 12
Summary
Post-2026, FIFA’s relevant committees will examine how a 64-team men’s World Cup could work, with Gianni Infantino saying every nation should be able to dream of qualifying.
The push builds on FIFA’s first 48-team tournament, which Infantino called a huge success and highlighted with nine of 10 African teams reaching the knockout stage.
A formal proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams came from Conmebol in April 2025, but UEFA, the AFC and Concacaf leaders have all warned it would hurt the tournament or create chaos.
A 64-team finals would mean 128 games and nearly a third of FIFA’s 211 member nations qualifying, raising hosting challenges even as it promises broader access and more revenue.