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FIFA to analyze 64-team World Cup for 2030
🇵🇦 Panama /Sports

FIFA to analyze 64-team World Cup for 2030

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • FIFA is considering expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, a proposal that will be formally analyzed after the current tournament.
  • The idea, pushed by South American football confederation CONMEBOL, aims to give host nations like Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay more significant roles.
  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino supports the expansion, citing a philosophy of inclusion and the success of the current 48-team format.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the global football governing body will formally analyze the possibility of expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams. This potential seismic shift in world football will be debated in relevant committees after the current tournament concludes in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

It is a topic that will be examined and debated in the corresponding committees after this World Cup.

— Gianni InfantinoFIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the analysis of expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams.

The initiative stems from a formal proposal by CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez, aiming to increase the prominence of South American host nations. Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay are currently slated to host only one opening match each as part of the World Cup's centenary celebration. The expansion would allow these countries to host entire groups, significantly boosting their involvement.

Infantino championed the proposal with a philosophy of "inclusion," stating that "every nation should be able to dream of participating." He argued that World Cups should be designed for everyone, not just Europe and South America. He also lauded the current 48-team format as a "total success," noting that less traditionally favored teams have shown competitive levels, which he believes justifies further expansion. Infantino's core argument is that limiting opportunities demotivates countries with less footballing tradition.

Every nation should be able to dream of participating.

— Gianni InfantinoFIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the expansion proposal based on competitive equity between confederations.

The logistical challenges are substantial. The 2030 World Cup is already unprecedented, with matches spread across six countries on three continents: Spain, Portugal, and Morocco as main hosts, and Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay hosting commemorative opening games. The existing bid, validated by FIFA, was designed for 48 teams and 104 matches. Expanding to 64 teams would increase the match count to 128, necessitating a renegotiation of venue and schedule allocations, particularly as the Iberian-Moroccan bid finalizes details.

it is important to design it for everyone, not just for Europe and South America.

— Gianni InfantinoFIFA President Gianni Infantino explained his philosophy of inclusion for the World Cup.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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