After the 2026 World Cup , FIFA faces many challenges in expanding the World Cup to 64 teams - Photo: AP
In mid-July, FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed that FIFA is planning to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams. However, for this idea to become a reality, FIFA will have to face many challenges.
Conmebol's support
The key to FIFA being able to increase the number of teams in the 2030 World Cup to 64 is the support of its member football federations.
According to European media reports, since Gianni Infantino officially announced this idea, the FIFA leader has only received support from the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).
In his speech on July 22, CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez stated bluntly: "To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the World Cup, we are making every effort to make the 2030 World Cup a spectacular event with the participation of 64 teams."
UEFA objects.
Spain will be one of the six host countries for the 2030 World Cup - Photo: AP
However, Infantino's idea was met with fierce opposition from UEFA (the European Football Federation). UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin did not attend the 2026 World Cup final – an action that the press interpreted as a tacit protest against FIFA.
The BBC in the UK claims that UEFA has leveled several criticisms against FIFA and the 2026 World Cup. These include political interference in matches, excessively long water breaks, cultural performances during halftime, and even a proposal to expand the World Cup to 2030.
UEFA is the largest, most developed football federation and has a particularly important voice. Therefore, if UEFA does not support the idea of increasing the number of teams in the World Cup to 64, FIFA will find it very difficult to implement.
In recent times, the relationship between FIFA and UEFA hasn't been very good. That's why Infantino is having a hard time securing Ceferin's support.
Four federations have not yet commented.
The AFC president is reportedly opposed to the idea of expanding the 2026 World Cup to 64 teams - Photo: AP
Apart from the rather clear stance of UEFA and CONMEBOL, the other four member federations – Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF), Oceania (OFC), and North Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) – have remained silent.
However, according to expert speculation, FIFA may receive further support from CAF and OFC. This is because these two federations would benefit most from FIFA increasing the number of teams participating in the 2030 World Cup.
Conversely, the AFC and CONCACAF have taken a relatively cautious stance towards FIFA's idea. In April 2025, the President of the Asian Football Confederation, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, stated that further expansion of the World Cup would only create more chaos for the tournament.
Meanwhile, the head of CONCACAF, Victor Montagliani, said that too many teams in a World Cup would "negatively impact the football ecosystem."
If both presidents maintain this stance, perhaps CONCACAF and AFC will also oppose expanding the 2030 World Cup. However, European media reports indicate it is unclear whether these two presidents will retain their position after witnessing the 2030 World Cup.