CONMEBOL President Suggests 64-Team World Cup Across Six Hosts for 2030

The 2030 FIFA World Cup might see a major increase in participating nations, jumping from the current 48 to 64 teams. This bold idea comes after the recent tournament, which featured 48 teams and was won by Spain. The upcoming centenary event is planned to be hosted by six countries, stirring conversations about expanding the competition even further.

A Vision for an Expanded Tournament

Alejandro Dominguez, president of CONMEBOL, shared his hopes for the 2030 World Cup on social media. He highlighted that the tournament will take place in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, marking a special chance to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the World Cup with a larger 64-team format.

This idea arrives not long after the 2026 edition, the first with 48 teams. The 2030 World Cup already stands out by being co-hosted by Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, while three centenary matches are set for Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

FIFA's Perspective on Expansion

No official announcement has come from FIFA yet, but Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, hinted at the possibility of increasing the number of teams to 64 during a July 12 interview with Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport. He emphasized the importance of making the World Cup accessible to all nations, not just traditional football powers in Europe and South America.

"Every nation should be able to dream of taking part in the World Cup," Infantino said. "If you don’t give smaller countries the chance to participate, they lose the incentive to improve."

Infantino pointed out that the quality of football worldwide is rising, making it necessary to open doors to more countries to sustain global growth of the sport.

Impact of a 64-Team Format

Switching to 64 teams would dramatically reshape the tournament structure. The total matches would increase to 128, doubling the 64-team era's 64 matches and significantly exceeding the 104 matches played in 2026. This change could challenge logistics, scheduling, and hosting capabilities.

Looking Ahead

FIFA committees are expected to review the practicalities of adding 16 extra teams carefully. Following Spain’s victory in 2026, officials face the task of deciding if six nations can efficiently manage such a large event with 128 games. Fans remain eager for a final decision that will influence both the centenary celebration and the future direction of international football.