FIFA is studying whether to increase the men's World Cup field from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, an inquiry that could transform the sport's flagship competition as it marks its centenary.
Independent review to assess impact
The governing body has said it wants to appoint an independent agency to evaluate "whether and how expanding the FIFA World Cup from 48 to 64 participating national teams, starting with the 2030 edition, would impact on the tournament proposition", according to a research brief seen by Reuters.
"FIFA wishes to appoint an independent agency to determine whether and how expanding the FIFA World Cup from 48 to 64 participating national teams... would impact on the tournament proposition."
The proposal would add a further 16 nations to the tournament, on top of the increase from 32 to 48 teams that took effect at the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. That last expansion introduced additional groups and an extra knockout round, resulting in 104 matches spread over more than five weeks.
Who has pushed for 64 teams?
South America's CONMEBOL confederation formally suggested a 64‑team centenary World Cup last year, arguing the larger field would allow more countries to participate in the 2030 celebrations. FIFA's decision to commission an external study is aimed at testing the feasibility and consequences of such an ambitious enlargement.
- Proposal under review: expand from 48 to 64 national teams for 2030.
- Independent agency to be appointed to measure impact on tournament format and proposition.
- CONMEBOL has formally proposed hosting a 64‑team centenary event.
Logistical, commercial and political ripples
An extra 16 teams would have knock‑on effects across venues, travel, match scheduling and broadcasting. The 2026 format change already required organisers to introduce more fixtures and an additional knockout round to accommodate the bigger field. Further expansion would intensify those pressures, requiring new assessments of stadium capacity, training facilities, rest periods for players and the commercial model underpinning the event.
The timing of the study also comes amid wider controversy over FIFA's recent strategic moves. The organisation has floated the creation of a $20 billion subsidiary to manage the World Cup and other events with external investors — a plan that has drawn criticism and contributed to UEFA's decision to boycott some FIFA projects. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has previously said expanding the World Cup to 64 teams would be unwise, and that position appears unchanged.
Consequences for British football and fans
Any decision to move to 64 teams will reverberate across British football. Greater inclusion could improve the chances of more nations qualifying for the tournament, potentially affecting the competitiveness of qualification groups that involve England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It would also alter the international calendar and could prompt changes in how domestic fixtures are scheduled around major tournaments.
For supporters, a larger tournament would mean more matches to attend or follow on television, but also the prospect of diluted group stages and more complex travel arrangements if matches are widely dispersed across host nations.
Next steps
FIFA's commissioning of an independent review does not amount to a firm commitment to expand; it is the first formal step towards assessing the practical and commercial viability of a 64‑team centenary World Cup. The findings of that study, and the subsequent reaction from confederations such as UEFA and national associations, will determine whether the global game moves towards an even larger showpiece event in 2030.
