A high-stakes meeting at FIFA’s offices in New York’s Trump Tower saw President Gianni Infantino listen to a bold pitch for a 64-team World Cup in 2030, but the proposal from South American leaders appears to have fallen on deaf ears within the wider organization. Despite the formal discussion, FIFA is not planning to proceed with the expansion due to significant internal resistance.
The summit brought together Infantino and a powerful Conmebol contingent, including the heads of state of Uruguay and Paraguay, and the football federation presidents of those nations plus Argentina. They formally presented their vision for a centenary tournament featuring almost a third of FIFA’s member associations, a move that would revolutionize World Cup qualification in South America.
While Infantino engaged in the dialogue, the sentiment within FIFA’s Zurich headquarters is one of deep skepticism. Sources close to the FIFA Council, the body with the authority to greenlight such a change, report that the idea is a non-starter. The prevailing belief is that a 64-team format would lead to a drop in competitive quality and could jeopardize the tournament’s robust business model.
This internal opposition has been amplified by public statements from key football administrators. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has been a vocal critic, calling the idea “bad” and warning of its negative impact on the qualifying competition. Concacaf President Victor Montagliani has also expressed his disapproval, signaling a cross-continental front against the plan.
As preparations continue for the 48-team World Cup in 2026, the 64-team proposal seems destined to remain a talking point rather than a reality. The FIFA Council is not expected to consider the matter at its next meeting, effectively pausing the conversation on further expansion.