FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated in a press interview that "FIFA" is seriously considering the possibility of increasing the number of teams participating in the 2030 World Cup to 64.
Gianni Infantino's remarks came after the proposal put forward by the South American Football Confederation, which calls for an exceptional expansion of the tournament in the 2030 edition.
Gianni Infantino stated: "When the World Cup is organized, it is important that it is a tournament for the whole world. It is not just about Europe or South America, but the entire world. All countries should have the chance to dream of participating in the World Cup."
He added: "If smaller nations are not given the opportunity to participate in the World Cup, they will lose the motivation to continue developing."
Despite the South American Football Confederation's support for the idea, the proposal has faced opposition from some continental federations. Both UEFA and CONCACAF have described the notion of increasing the number of teams to 64 as "bad," according to ESPN.
FIFA has already approved a 48-team system for the 2026 World Cup, meaning any further increase would represent the largest expansion in the tournament's history.
Discussions are expected to take place in the coming period within FIFA and continental federations regarding the feasibility of the proposal, its impact on competition quality, match scheduling, and the organizational aspects of the tournament.
