FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, is poised to explore expanding the number of teams participating in the 2030 World Cup to 64, marking a potential one-time increase to celebrate the event's centenary. This initiative, supported by Gianni Infantino, FIFA's president, was discussed in recent meetings attended by representatives from various nations, with Uruguay's Ignacio Alonso submitting the proposal during the miscellaneous agenda section.
The World Cup, regarded as the most lucrative and widely viewed sporting event in the world, generates billions for the organization but has also been marred by controversies surrounding hosting rights and governance. Just last month, FIFA faced backlash for awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia amid claims of irregularities in the bidding process.
This alteration would complicate logistics as the tournament would be held across three continents for the first time in history. The current format, featuring 48 teams at the upcoming World Cup in 2026, will still see most matches occurring in the United States, with Canada and Mexico playing host to several games. The debate over expanding the tournament reflects FIFA's ongoing challenges in managing its flagship event while balancing global expectations and integrity within the sport.
