FIFA is reportedly unlikely to advance a proposal to expand the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams for 2030, despite recommendations from CONMEBOL, South American FA leaders, and several presidents from the continent. The Guardian reports that while FIFA heard the pitch and will share it with stakeholders, there is internal skepticism about the plan.
'There’d be too many uncompetitive matches'
The report quoted a source who stressed that the potential of 128 matches in 2030 and the lack of competitiveness in that expanded format would be costly to FIFA's bottom line, and tough for president Gianni Infantino to push through.
“Gianni would not get that vote through Council even if he wanted to,” a FIFA source told the Guardian. “The overwhelming feeling around the table – and not just in Europe – is that 64 teams would damage the World Cup. There’d be too many uncompetitive matches, and it would risk damaging the business model.”
FIFA and CONMEBOL met on Tuesday to discuss the potential expansion, with the South American delegation praising the talks following the meeting following their pitch earlier this year.
"We believe in a historic 2030 World Cup!" CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez said in a social media post after the meeting. "Thank you, President Gianni Infantino, for welcoming us and sharing this journey toward the centennial of football's greatest celebration. We want to call for unity, creativity, and believing big. Because when football is shared by everyone, the celebration is truly global."
AdvertisementGettyThe numbers behind a shift
CONMEBOL would stand to gain the most from another World Cup expansion. The Guardian reported that a source familiar with Tuesday’s discussions said Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina argued they could host the entire group stage.
A 64-team tournament would allow more than 30 percent of FIFA’s 211 member associations to participate and give all 10 CONMEBOL nations a shot at qualification, compared with just six direct spots next year – plus the potential for an additional inter-confederation playoff place.
The proposal was first floated at the FIFA Council in April but was met with quick resistance. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin called it a 'bad idea' that would lower tournament quality and weaken qualification, while CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani echoed those sentiment, saying, "They can study all they want, but it just doesn’t feel right.”
GettyOther issues at hand
The Guardian also reported that more European clubs want to be included in the next edition of the expanded Club World Cup, with the new format kicking off last summer. FIFA is considering hosting the tournament every two years and teams are vying for the large prize and appearance money the Club World Cup offers.
Proposals for both expanding the Club World Cup and the 2030 World Cup would need to be ratified in a FIFA Council meeting. The next one is next month, but the report notes World Cup expansion is not currently on the agenda.
Looking ahead
While there's of debate on the future of the World Cup, the upcoming 2026 tournament is getting closer. The draw for the tournament's group stage is set for Dec. 5.
