FIFA is considering a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams as part of the tournament’s 100th anniversary celebrations, according to a report by Diario Olé.
The plan, pushed by South America’s football confederation CONMEBOL, would increase the event beyond the 48-team format already set for 2026. If approved, the 2030 edition could feature up to 128 matches, making it the largest World Cup in history.
The 2030 tournament is already planned as a unique multi-continent event, with Morocco, Portugal, and Spain hosting the main games and Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay staging special centenary matches.
Uruguay’s historic Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, site of the first World Cup final in 1930, is expected to host a ceremonial game, while Buenos Aires and Asunción will each stage one match to honor the tournament’s origins.
CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez said the expansion would give “all countries the opportunity to live the world experience,” and could guarantee spots for all 10 South American nations, including Venezuela, which has never qualified.
However, the idea has faced pushback. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin called the plan a “bad idea,” warning it could dilute competition and strain logistics. Environmental groups, including Fossil Free Football, criticized the multi-continent format as a “climate nightmare” due to increased travel.
FIFA has not made a final decision. Further discussions will take place at an upcoming FIFA Council meeting, where officials will evaluate the impact on scheduling, infrastructure, and qualification systems before deciding whether the 2030 World Cup will break new ground in size and scope.
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