Could the next World Cup have even more teams? FIFA is considering it
FIFA Weighs Further Expansion: Could the World Cup Grow Beyond 48 Teams?
Could the next World Cup have – As this year’s historic tournament draws to a close, questions are emerging about whether soccer’s premier competition should expand even further. The current World Cup, featuring a record-breaking 48 nations, has already proven its worth to many fans and stakeholders alike. Yet FIFA President Gianni Infantino has signaled that the organization may look to add more countries to the mix in future editions.
The initial announcement of a 48-team format met with some skepticism. Critics worried that diluting the field would compromise the overall standard of play. Others felt the tournament should maintain its exclusivity. However, the expanded format has largely won over doubters. Several debutant nations have impressed on the world stage, with Cape Verde advancing to the knockout stages and Curaçao capturing hearts through their enthusiastic approach and eye-catching uniforms.
Infantino’s Vision for Global Growth
The success of the current format has prompted Infantino to consider an even larger tournament. When queried by Swiss publication Bluewin about the prospect of a 64-team World Cup, the FIFA president offered his thoughts:
“That’s definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup.”
He continued to emphasize the importance of global representation:
“When organizing a World Cup, it’s important to organize it for the whole world – not just Europe and South America – but effectively the entire world. Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup.”
Infantino also highlighted the developmental benefits of inclusion:
“You can see that the quality of the teams is extremely high – and it’s getting higher and higher, all over the world. If you don’t give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they’ll lack the incentive to keep improving.”
The 2030 Centenary Proposal
The next World Cup, scheduled for 2030, will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. In a nod to history, the opening three matches will take place in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, commemorating a century since the inaugural tournament was held in Uruguay. CONMEBOL, South America’s football governing body, has already put forward a proposal for a 64-team format to honor the centenary milestone.
While financial and legacy benefits are clear advantages of expansion, concerns remain. The current 104-match schedule has already extended the tournament duration significantly. Players competing deep into the competition face minimal recovery time before their domestic club seasons resume. Many athletes may not welcome additional fixtures.
Looking Ahead: Final Week Schedule
Before turning to other tournament stories, here is the complete schedule for the concluding week:
Semifinal 1 (France vs. Spain) – July 14 at 3 p.m. ET, held at Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) in Arlington, Texas, USA
Semifinal 2 (England vs. Argentina) – July 15 at 3 p.m. ET, at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Third-place match – July 18 at 5 p.m. ET, at Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium) in Miami Gardens, Florida, USA
World Cup final – July 19 at 3 p.m. ET, at New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
Haaland’s Tournament Journey
While Norway has been eliminated, Erling Haaland has emerged as one of the tournament’s most compelling figures. The Norwegian striker reflected on his experience:
“I think this has changed my life, to be honest.”
Already a recognized name before this World Cup, Haaland has transcended into a global icon. His charismatic personality has resonated with fans worldwide, and he has thoroughly enjoyed his time in North America. Whether on the pitch or off, the striker has embraced every moment. With Norway’s campaign concluded, CNN Sports wanted to honor Haaland’s remarkable tournament run in this edition of The Beautiful Game.