Proposal of 66-team FIFA World Cup 2030 gaining momentum ahead of 2026 edition
Zurich, May 21
As the world prepares for the biggest FIFA World Cup ever, with 48 teams, the event could get even bigger in the future, with fresh proposals of the tournament's 2030 edition being expanded to 66 teams returning to the football governing body's boardroom.
After making history with a 48-team FIFA WC starting from June 11, the world's football governing body is already thinking about the future, thinking something bigger. The proposal for a 66-team FIFA World Cup has gained a lot of momentum in recent weeks, as per an AS report quoted by Goal.com.
It was initially a suggestion of CONMEBOL, the football governing body in South America, to bring elite-level football to more teams but as weeks move ahead, it is being taken more seriously by several member federations.
FIFA hierarchy, including the president Gianni Infantino, is looking at the expansion as an idea to promote inclusivity and plurality, particularly the president, who views the event as a global celebration of football. The 2026 edition is already featuring debutants Cape Verde, Curacao, Uzbekistan and Jordan, and it seems like the list of debutants could grow more as the proposal is gaining momentum.
The 2030 edition is set to be hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with additional celebratory matches in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. An expansion of the tournament could place pressure on the hosts, infrastructure-wise. The current plan for the 2030 tournament officially is still 48 teams, the FIFA will not finalise the organisational structure until after a champion is crowned on July 19 this year.
In Spain, the hosting landscape has changed, with Malaga having dropped out from hosting matches, while venues like San Mames and Reale Arena stay uncertain. FIFA will make a final decision on a venue.
The upcoming 48-team FIFA World Cup will serve as a litmus test for how successful a 66-team edition could be on commercial and sporting terms. If the current edition becomes one, it would undoubtedly become an irresistible idea to expand the tournament.
FIFA is keeping the doors open, and the proposal has went from being treated as "madness" to a viable idea to evolve the game.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I feel this is just Infantino trying to keep his job by promising more teams and money from federations. But honestly, more matches means more fatigue for players. Clubs won't be happy. At least India might get a chance to qualify, though! 😄
As a football fan from USA where soccer is growing, I love the idea of more nations getting exposure. But 66 teams? That's like half the countries in the world. The group stages will become a joke with 6-0 scorelines.
Bro, 66 teams means we'll finally see Bhutan vs Brazil! On a serious note, the 48-team edition is already a logistical nightmare for host nations. Spain-Portugal-Morocco ko aur pressure mat do. Focus on developing football in smaller nations instead. 🤷♂️
I'm from Canada and I've seen how excited people are for our team in 2026. But expansion should be about increasing quality, not just quantity. The gap between top 20 and rest 100 is huge. Just look at Indian football team's struggles to qualify even for 48-team event.
66 teams? That's pure madness, but then again FIFA only cares about money. More matches = more TV rights = more revenue. Players ki to maa-behen ek kar denge with travel and matches. But if India ever qualifies, I'll be the first to celebrate! 🇮🇳⚽
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