FIFA will formally review the possibility of expanding the men’s FIFA World Cup to 64 teams following the success of the 2026 tournament, according to president Gianni Infantino. The proposal has sparked significant debate across the global soccer community, with supporters pointing to increased worldwide participation while critics argue that another expansion could dilute the quality and prestige of the sport’s biggest event.

The 2026 World Cup was already the largest in tournament history, growing from 32 to 48 nations and featuring 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Despite concerns before kickoff about the expanded format, the tournament drew strong attendance, television audiences and commercial interest, prompting FIFA to consider whether another increase could further accelerate the game’s global growth.

Infantino said FIFA’s governing bodies will study the proposal rather than making an immediate decision. Any expansion would likely target the 2030 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with opening centenary matches scheduled in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

A major expansion could further propel World Cup betting and trading on prediction markets in the coming years as well.

Why FIFA Is Considering Another Expansion

Supporters of a 64-team tournament believe additional places would allow more nations from Africa, Asia, Concacaf and Oceania to qualify for the World Cup, helping continue soccer’s global growth while giving emerging football nations greater opportunities on the sport’s biggest stage.

The expanded 48-team format produced several first-time qualifiers and created additional opportunities for nations that had historically struggled to reach the tournament. FIFA officials have pointed to the competitive group-stage matches and worldwide fan engagement as evidence that expansion can succeed without significantly reducing quality.

An expanded field would also create additional broadcasting inventory, sponsorship opportunities and ticket revenue, potentially generating billions of dollars in additional commercial income for FIFA and its member associations.

Critics Warn Against Further Expansion

Not everyone supports adding another 16 teams. Many coaches, players and football executives believe the 48-team format already stretches the tournament schedule and increases player workloads following long domestic seasons. Expanding to 64 teams would require even more matches, additional venues and a longer tournament calendar.

Critics also argue that the World Cup’s prestige comes from qualifying being one of the most difficult accomplishments in international soccer. Increasing the field again could reduce the competitiveness of qualifying in many regions while creating more lopsided matches during the early rounds.

Some observers have also questioned whether host nations could consistently provide enough stadiums, training facilities and transportation infrastructure to support a tournament of that size.

Decision Likely Still Years Away

FIFA emphasized that no decision has been made and that the proposal will undergo a formal review before any vote is taken. The governing body is expected to consult with its member federations, confederations and competition committees before determining whether expansion beyond 48 teams is in the best long-term interests of the World Cup.

The discussion comes at a time when FIFA continues to examine ways to grow the sport’s commercial reach while balancing concerns about player welfare, competitive integrity and tournament logistics.

The success of the 2026 World Cup has strengthened FIFA’s confidence in larger competitions, but the debate over a potential 64-team event is likely to continue for years before a final decision is reached.

FIFA to Review Potential 64-Team World Cup Following 2026 Tournament

FIFA will formally review the possibility of expanding the men’s FIFA World Cup to 64 teams following the success of the 2026 tournament, according to president Gianni Infantino. The proposal has sparked significant debate across the global soccer community, with supporters pointing to increased worldwide participation while critics argue that another expansion could dilute the quality and prestige of the sport’s biggest event.

The 2026 World Cup was already the largest in tournament history, growing from 32 to 48 nations and featuring 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Despite concerns before kickoff about the expanded format, the tournament drew strong attendance, television audiences and commercial interest, prompting FIFA to consider whether another increase could further accelerate the game’s global growth.

Infantino said FIFA’s governing bodies will study the proposal rather than making an immediate decision. Any expansion would likely target the 2030 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with opening centenary matches scheduled in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

Why FIFA Is Considering Another Expansion

Supporters of a 64-team tournament believe additional places would allow more nations from Africa, Asia, Concacaf and Oceania to qualify for the World Cup, helping continue soccer’s global growth while giving emerging football nations greater opportunities on the sport’s biggest stage.

The expanded 48-team format produced several first-time qualifiers and created additional opportunities for nations that had historically struggled to reach the tournament. FIFA officials have pointed to the competitive group-stage matches and worldwide fan engagement as evidence that expansion can succeed without significantly reducing quality.

An expanded field would also create additional broadcasting inventory, sponsorship opportunities and ticket revenue, potentially generating billions of dollars in additional commercial income for FIFA and its member associations.

Critics Warn Against Further Expansion

Not everyone supports adding another 16 teams.

Many coaches, players and football executives believe the 48-team format already stretches the tournament schedule and increases player workloads following long domestic seasons. Expanding to 64 teams would require even more matches, additional venues and a longer tournament calendar.

Critics also argue that the World Cup’s prestige comes from qualifying being one of the most difficult accomplishments in international soccer. Increasing the field again could reduce the competitiveness of qualifying in many regions while creating more lopsided matches during the early rounds.

Some observers have also questioned whether host nations could consistently provide enough stadiums, training facilities and transportation infrastructure to support a tournament of that size.

Decision Likely Still Years Away

FIFA emphasized that no decision has been made and that the proposal will undergo a formal review before any vote is taken. The governing body is expected to consult with its member federations, confederations and competition committees before determining whether expansion beyond 48 teams is in the best long-term interests of the World Cup.

The discussion comes at a time when FIFA continues to examine ways to grow the sport’s commercial reach while balancing concerns about player welfare, competitive integrity and tournament logistics.

The success of the 2026 World Cup has strengthened FIFA’s confidence in larger competitions, but the debate over a potential 64-team event is likely to continue for years before a final decision is reached.

Betting Outlook: Could a Larger World Cup Change the Betting Landscape?

Although FIFA has not approved a 64-team World Cup, sportsbooks and prediction markets would likely see a significant increase in betting opportunities if the tournament expands again.

The 2026 World Cup’s move to 48 teams already resulted in more matches, additional wagering markets, and record betting activity worldwide. Expanding to 64 nations would create another wave of new betting options for fans while increasing interest in qualifying tournaments across every confederation.

A larger field would likely produce more outright futures, group betting markets, player props, and match-specific wagers throughout the tournament. Sportsbooks would also be able to offer expanded betting on nations making their World Cup debut, regional performance markets, and qualification props months before the tournament begins.

Prediction market platforms could likewise introduce new event contracts tied to qualifying, knockout advancement, Golden Boot, Golden Glove, and eventual tournament champions.

While FIFA’s proposal remains under review, bookmakers and prediction market operators will closely monitor any developments. A decision to expand beyond 48 teams would not only reshape international soccer but could also create one of the largest betting events in sports history, offering fan.s more matches, more markets, and more opportunities to follow the world’s biggest tournament.