FIFA Reviews Proposal to Expand 2030 World Cup to 64 Teams

FIFA is reviewing a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, reviving the idea with support from federations across different continents even before the new 48-team format debuts in 2026. The move would mark another major shift in the tournament structure and could reshape qualification and participation across the global game. The 2030 tournament is planned to be hosted jointly by Spain, Morocco and Portugal. FIFA is not expected to finalize the details for 2030 before the 2026 World Cup is completed. The 2026 edition will be staged for the first time with 48 teams, opening the door for sides such as Jordan, Uzbekistan, Cape Verde and Curaçao to appear either for the first time or after a long absence. That expansion is already set to broaden football's global footprint before any further change is considered. Separately, the idea of holding the Club World Cup every two years is said to be off the agenda for now.