The 2030 World Cup is set to feature an expanded 64 teams, according to CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez. Dominguez announced the potential change on social media following the conclusion of the first 48-team tournament.
While Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are the officially designated hosts for the 2030 World Cup, several matches are scheduled to be played in South America, including Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. This proposed expansion to 64 teams would likely involve 16 groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has previously indicated a willingness to consider an increase in the number of participating teams. "When organising a World Cup, it's important to organise it for the whole world - not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire world," Infantino stated. "Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup."
Infantino highlighted the growing quality of football globally and emphasized the importance of giving smaller nations opportunities to compete. He noted that the current 48-team format, which has seen an increase in participation, provides an incentive for teams to improve and encourages wider global engagement in the sport. The success of the 48-team format in the most recent tournament was cited as evidence of the benefits of broader inclusion.