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Rabat – FIFA is considering another major change to the World Cup, with proposals on the table to expand the 2030 edition to 66 teams.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico will already be the first with 48 nations.
Yet discussions inside FIFA have moved further, with South American body CONMEBOL pushing for a larger format.
What was once seen as unrealistic is now gaining support from several federations.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has often described the World Cup as a global festival. A 66‑team format would open the door for more countries to take part, especially those who have never qualified before.
The 2026 edition will already feature debutants such as Cape Verde, Curacao, Uzbekistan, and Jordan, showing the appetite for wider participation.
Hosting challenges
The 2030 tournament is set to be hosted mainly by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with symbolic matches in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
Expanding to 66 teams would put heavy pressure on stadiums and infrastructure. Spain has already seen changes, with Malaga dropping out of the host city race and uncertainty around San Mames and Reale Arena.
FIFA has not yet finalized the format, saying the structure will only be confirmed after the 2026 champion is crowned on July 19.
The success of the 48‑team World Cup in North America will serve as the test case. If it proves commercially and competitively strong, pressure to expand further will grow.
Supporters argue that more teams mean greater inclusion, while critics warn of diluted quality.
For FIFA, the focus appears to be on the revenue and global reach a 66‑team event could deliver.
While the World Cup may grow, FIFA has cooled on expanding the Club World Cup. Plans to stage it every two years have been shelved, with the next edition scheduled for 2029. Player welfare and fixture congestion remain key concerns.
Read also: Spain Faces New Doubts Over 2030 World Cup Hosting
