Gianni Infantino Proposes a 64‑Team World Cup After 2026
After the 2026 finals, FIFA president Gianni Infantino unveiled plans to potentially upgrade the tournament to 64 teams. He said the new format should be “for the whole world,” building on the 48‑team experiment that saw 9 of 10 African squads reach the knockout round.
Infantino stressed that the growing quality of football across continents means smaller nations deserve a place in the competition. He praised the 48‑team tournament’s “huge success” and highlighted its impact on African representation.
A 64‑team proposal was first floated by CONMEBOL in April 2025, but stakeholders in UEFA, AFC, CONCACAF and even the United States have raised concerns. They cite a log‑heavy schedule—potentially 128 group‑stage matches—across host nations that range from Spain to Canada to Morocco.
FIFA’s policy is to weigh expansion proposals in consultation with all confederations, and the council’s final decision may still lie several years away. For more on Infantino’s vision, read the full interview with Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport here.
