The World Cup may have reached its tipping point for expansion, as FIFA has rejected a proposal for a 64-team tournament, deeming it a step too far. After decades of steady growth, the global football community appears to have decided that the risks of further expansion now outweigh the benefits, leading to the shelving of the ambitious plan.
The plan was proposed by South American officials for the 2030 centenary edition and was formally discussed with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The argument was for a grander, more inclusive celebration of the tournament’s 100th anniversary.
However, the proposal has been met with a firm “no” from within FIFA’s decision-making circles. The consensus is that while the expansion to 48 teams (from 32) is manageable, a leap to 64 would fundamentally alter and damage the tournament. An insider confirmed that the FIFA Council believes a 64-team format would create a bloated, less compelling event.
This sense that a limit has been reached is shared by powerful confederation heads. UEFA’s Aleksander Ceferin and Concacaf’s Victor Montagliani have both spoken out against the idea, reflecting a broader sentiment that the tournament’s core identity is at risk.
The World Cup’s journey from 16 teams in the 1970s to 48 in 2026 has been one of constant evolution. But the rejection of the 64-team proposal suggests that, for now, the evolution has paused. The tipping point has been identified, and FIFA is not prepared to go over it.