In 2017, the FIFA Council approved increasing the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams.
In April 2025, South American governing body CONMEBOL formally proposed expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, but no decision has been made.
The 2030 tournament will be primarily co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with the opening three matches in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to mark the competition’s centenary. Uruguay hosted the inaugural World Cup in 1930.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has dismissed the 64-team plan, calling it a “bad idea” for both the tournament and the qualifying process.
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa agreed, saying further expansion would bring “chaos”.
Concacaf president Victor Montagliani said the proposal “doesn’t feel right” and argued it would harm “the broader football ecosystem”.
However, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s World Cup task force, said the United States could consider a bid to host the 2038 World Cup and could “handle it” even with 64 teams.
FIFA’s stated position is that it will consult stakeholders on expansion ideas and is obliged to consider proposals from council members.
The FIFA Council would make the final decision, but there is no indication that one is imminent.