Gianni Infantino drops massive FIFA World Cup expansion hint as 64-team plan emerges

The FIFA World Cup has not even crowned its 2026 champion, but discussions over the tournament's future are already gathering pace.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has suggested football's global governing body is willing to consider proposals to expand the men's World Cup to 64 teams, a move that would dramatically reshape the sport's biggest event and further increase participation from around the world.

The comments come at a time when FIFA is overseeing the first-ever 48-team World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Even before the enlarged format has completed its debut, the prospect of another expansion has triggered widespread debate among football administrators, former players and supporters.

What did Infantino say?

Speaking about the proposal, Infantino indicated that FIFA has a responsibility to evaluate ideas that could benefit the global game rather than dismiss them outright.

The FIFA president stressed that any significant changes would require detailed consultation and careful assessment before becoming official policy. However, his willingness to entertain the proposal has ensured that the possibility of a 64-team World Cup is now firmly part of football's long-term conversation.

Although no formal decision has been taken, FIFA's openness to discussion marks a significant development.

Why is a 64-team World Cup being discussed?

The idea has emerged after FIFA successfully expanded the men's World Cup from 32 teams to 48 teams for the 2026 tournament.

Supporters of further expansion argue that international football has grown considerably over the past two decades, with more nations now capable of competing at the highest level. Increasing the field to 64 teams would provide additional opportunities for countries from Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Caribbean to participate on football's biggest stage.

Advocates also point to the commercial benefits, including higher broadcasting revenues, greater sponsorship opportunities and increased fan engagement across emerging football markets.

What are the concerns?

Despite its potential benefits, the proposal has attracted significant criticism.

Many former players and football analysts fear another expansion could dilute the quality of the tournament by allowing too many lower-ranked nations to qualify.

Others worry about player welfare, noting that elite footballers already face increasingly congested schedules with domestic leagues, continental competitions and international tournaments competing for space in the calendar.

Logistical challenges also remain. Organising a tournament featuring 64 teams would require more stadiums, additional host cities and a significantly longer competition, placing greater demands on players, organisers and supporters alike.

How would the format change?

FIFA has not released any official format for a potential 64-team World Cup.

However, such an expansion would likely require major changes to the group stage and knockout rounds. The governing body would also need to reconsider qualification pathways across its six continental confederations to ensure fair representation.

For now, FIFA's priority remains delivering a successful 2026 tournament before making any long-term structural decisions.

Mixed reaction across football

The proposal has already divided opinion within the football community.

Supporters believe expanding the World Cup reflects football's growing global reach and gives smaller nations a realistic chance to compete against traditional powerhouses.

Critics, however, argue that the prestige of qualifying for the World Cup could diminish if the field continues to expand, potentially reducing the competitiveness that has defined the tournament for decades.

What happens next?

There is currently no official decision to increase the men's FIFA World Cup to 64 teams.

Any proposal would need to undergo extensive consultation with FIFA's member associations, continental confederations and commercial partners before receiving formal approval.

For now, football's attention remains on the closing stages of the 2026 World Cup. But Infantino's remarks have ensured that discussions over the tournament's future are already underway, with the possibility of another historic expansion now firmly on the agenda.