The 48-team World Cup has concluded, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino is already contemplating expansion to 64 teams. Following the success of this year’s tournament, Infantino has garnered support from FIFA vice-president Alejandro Dominguez, who advocates for this change as soon as the 2030 edition. However, this proposal faces significant opposition, notably from Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, who deems it a “bad idea.”

The potential expansion raises concerns regarding the quality of competition, especially if European nations decide to boycott the tournament. A 64-team format would double the number of participants in just eight years, a drastic shift from the traditional 32-team setup that has existed since 1998.

Qualifying for the 64-team World Cup would require major reforms. The distribution of extra qualifying spots would likely favor the Confederation of African Football (Caf), Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and Concacaf, while Uefa may not see a proportional increase, potentially raising tensions among European countries.

The 2030 tournament, hosted across six countries and three continents, poses logistical challenges, including extensive travel and varying climates. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will host most matches, with additional games in Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina to celebrate the centenary of the World Cup.

FIFA might consider a format overhaul, possibly eliminating third-place qualifiers from the group stage, leading to a more traditional knockout system. This change would increase the total number of matches from 104 to 128, extending the tournament duration and raising player welfare concerns.

Despite the commercial incentives, Infantino's expansion plans are uncertain amid backlash and potential leadership changes within FIFA. The ultimate decision rests with the FIFA Council, leaving the future of the 64-team World Cup in limbo.