FIFA president Gianni Infantino has suggested the potential for a 64-team World Cup following the conclusion of the 2026 tournament. The upcoming World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has already expanded to 48 teams, a move that has received significant praise, particularly as nine out of ten African nations advanced to the knockout stage.

Success of the 2026 Tournament

The 2026 finals will mark the first time the tournament features 48 teams, a decision that faced criticism when it was approved by the FIFA Council in 2017. However, the ongoing tournament has largely been well-received. Notably, debutants Jordan, Cape Verde, and Curacao have made their mark, with Cape Verde notably pushing reigning champions Argentina to extra time.

Mixed Reactions to Expansion

Infantino's proposal for a 64-team format has sparked varied reactions. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has labeled the idea a "bad idea," while the president of the Asian Football Confederation described it as "chaos." Infantino, however, remains optimistic, stating, "Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup," and emphasized the rising quality of football globally as a reason for considering further expansion.

As the tournament progresses, Infantino has indicated that discussions regarding the 64-team format will take place after the 2026 finals. He believes that organizing a World Cup should be inclusive, stating, "It’s important that when you want to organise a World Cup, you do it for the whole world – not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire world." The FIFA president's vision aims to provide opportunities for smaller nations to compete and improve on the global stage.