Just as we're all buzzing about the expanded 48-team field in the 2026 World Cup, Gianni Infantino and FIFA are already plotting an even bigger beast. They're eyeing a massive 64-team tournament in the near future, confirming they'll discuss it after the current competition wraps up. This summer's World Cup is the first time the competition has gone beyond 32 countries, and the feedback has been great, leading FIFA to want more, more, more.
The "March Madness" of Global Football
Why the push for even more teams? It's all about those additional eyeballs and, let's be real, the revenue. Infantino isn't shy about wanting more nations playing in the World Cup. He's openly stated that FIFA's plan is to make the tournament more like "March Madness," bringing that college basketball success vibe to the global stage. He straight up said, "When you organize a World Cup, it's important that you organize it for the whole world. It's not just Europe and South America, but the entire world, effectively. Every nation should be able to dream of taking part in the World Cup." That vision means huge benefits for federations in places like Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, who don't always get their shot. Plus, it could save top-tier countries, like Italy, from missing out on the biggest football event on the planet. Imagine that, 64 teams slugging it out. It'd mean a whopping 128 matches played during the tournament, a huge jump from the 104 matches we're seeing in the 2026 World Cup's 48-team format.When Could This Mega-Tournament Kick Off?
So, when could we see this mega-expansion become reality? The idea of a 64-team World Cup was first floated back in 2025 by FIFA executives and top federations. But with the current World Cup's success, Infantino clearly wants to make it happen sooner rather than later. CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez has already backed the concept, and it could drop as early as the 2030 tournament. That 2030 World Cup is already going to be special, marking the 100-year anniversary of the competition. It's set to be played in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with opening matches likely heading to Argentina and Uruguay as a nod to the original 1930 World Cup in South America. Imagine that centennial celebration with 64 nations all chasing the dream. We'll be keeping a close eye on these discussions after the 2026 tournament. It feels like the football world is about to get a whole lot bigger.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.