While FIFA President Gianni Infantino extended a diplomatic ear to South American leaders proposing a 64-team World Cup, the idea has ignited a strong backlash within his own organization. A meeting at Trump Tower to discuss the centenary tournament in 2030 has exposed a deep divide between the ambition for greater inclusivity and the desire to protect the World Cup’s prestige.
The proposal was formally tabled by officials from Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina, the nations hosting the opening matches of the 2030 tournament. Their vision would see more than 30% of FIFA’s members qualify, a move that would primarily benefit their confederation, Conmebol. The meeting was the first formal step in a push that began informally at a FIFA Council meeting last year.
However, behind Infantino’s official willingness to listen lies a starkly different reality. Sources within FIFA have made it clear that the proposal is widely unpopular. The FIFA Council, which holds the power to approve the change, is reportedly united against it. The overwhelming fear is that such an expansion would “damage the World Cup” by creating a bloated tournament filled with uncompetitive games.
Key figures in global football governance have already drawn their lines in the sand. UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin and Concacaf head Victor Montagliani, both FIFA vice-presidents, have publicly condemned the proposal. Their opposition indicates that support for the 48-team format is strong and that any move to 64 would face a powerful and organized resistance.
As it stands, the 64-team idea is not even on the agenda for the next FIFA Council meeting. The focus is on the upcoming 48-team World Cup, itself a significant expansion. The internal consensus at FIFA seems to be that balance is key, and that a 64-team format would tip the scales too far, sacrificing quality for quantity.
