The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is the first edition to feature 48 teams, following the expansion from the previous 32-team format used between 1998 and 2022.
Speaking to Swiss media outlet Bluewin, Infantino said the proposal would be examined by FIFA’s decision-making committees.
“It (a 64-team tournament) is definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup.”
He emphasized that the World Cup should remain a truly global tournament.
“The World Cup is for the whole world, not just Europe and South America.”
According to Infantino, expanding the competition would give more nations the opportunity to participate and encourage football development worldwide.
“Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup… If you don’t give smaller countries a chance to participate, they’ll lack the incentive to keep improving.”
Support for Expansion
Infantino described the current 48-team format as “100 percent a success,” despite criticism from some quarters.
The proposal for a 64-team tournament was first raised by Ignacio Alonso during a FIFA Council meeting in March 2025. It later received public backing from Alejandro Domínguez, who described it as his “dream” and said it would help unite the football world.
The 2030 FIFA World Cup is already scheduled to be hosted across six countries on three continents:
* Uruguay – opening match
* Argentina – opening match
* Paraguay – opening match
* Morocco – remainder of the tournament
* Portugal – remainder of the tournament
* Spain – remainder of the tournament
Supporters believe a 64-team tournament would allow the three South American nations to host full groups instead of only the opening matches.
Opposition
The proposal has also attracted criticism. Aleksander Čeferin has described it as a “bad idea,” arguing that it could reduce the quality of both the World Cup and the European qualifying competition.
Similarly, Victor Montagliani has expressed reservations, saying further expansion is “not a great idea.”
Earlier in the tournament, Carlos Queiroz also argued that increasing the number of participating teams had diminished the value of World Cup qualification.
Infantino additionally disclosed that he has remained in regular contact with Donald Trump throughout the tournament and said the U.S. president is expected to present the World Cup trophy to the champions after the final, as previously announced.
