In brief
FIFA is exploring the possibility of expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams to mark the tournament's centenary celebration. This consideration follows a proposal put forth by Uruguay during a recent meeting. With the competition already set to take place across three continents, this change could elevate the World Cup to unprecedented levels of participation and viewership.
The article text:FIFA, the organization overseeing global soccer, is deliberating on a plan to expand the number of teams in the 2030 World Cup to 64, marking a significant one-off expansion for the tournament's centenary. This proposal has garnered interest from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to sources directly involved in the discussions. The current World Cup, already known for its immense popularity and profitability, is poised to become even more complex, as the 2030 edition is set to be held across three continents for the first time in history. The World Cup stands as the most lucrative sporting event, raking in billions for FIFA each cycle, yet it has also been shrouded in controversy, highlighted by intense bidding wars among nations to host the tournament.Criticism has surfaced regarding FIFA's decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, notably after FIFA altered its own regulations to allow the nation to secure hosting rights without competition. Infantino has previously expanded the tournament from 32 to 48 teams for the upcoming 2026 edition, which will primarily take place in the U.S., with matches also scheduled in Mexico and Canada.The discussion around the 64-team format emerged during the closing segment of a recent meeting, where a delegate from Uruguay, Ignacio Alonso, proposed the idea in a prepared speech. This bold step indicates FIFA's ambition to create an even grander stage for soccer on a global scale as part of its centennial celebrations.
