Infantino Pushes 64-Team World Cup After 2026 Expansion

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has dropped another bombshell on the global football calendar, confirming that the men's World Cup could swell to a staggering 64 teams after the 2026 edition. In comments that will send shockwaves through the sport, Infantino argued that every nation deserves the chance to dream of playing at football's biggest event.

What happened

Speaking ahead of a FIFA council meeting, Infantino revealed that the expansion to 64 teams will be formally discussed once the 48-team tournament in 2026 is completed. The Swiss-Italian administrator framed the proposal as a matter of inclusivity, saying that giving more nations a shot at the World Cup would grow the game worldwide. The move comes hot on the heels of the already controversial leap from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Background and context

The men's World Cup has expanded steadily over the decades: from 13 teams in 1930 to 24 in 1982, then 32 in 1998. The jump to 48 in 2026 was initially billed as a ceiling, but Infantino has made no secret of his ambition to push further. Critics argue that a 64-team tournament would dilute the quality of the competition, with weaker sides likely to suffer heavy defeats and group stages becoming bloated. Proponents, however, point to the success of the 48-team format in generating revenue and spreading football's footprint. The 2026 edition will already feature 104 matches across 16 groups of three teams — a 64-team format would require even more games and a longer schedule.

Implications and what it means

Infantino's latest proposal is likely to face fierce opposition from Europe's top clubs and leagues, who already complain about fixture congestion. A 64-team World Cup would extend the tournament by at least a week, clashing with domestic pre-seasons and player rest periods. There is also the question of qualification: with 64 slots, nearly one-third of FIFA's 211 member associations would automatically book a ticket, devaluing the journey for smaller nations. For fans, the spectacle could become a marathon of mid-tier matches, though the romantic in us might enjoy seeing minnows like San Marino or Bhutan on the biggest stage. Infantino's vision is clear: football's ultimate prize should be a truly global party. But whether the football world wants to party for an entire month — with twice as many teams — remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the debate over the World Cup's soul is far from over.