Could Infantino really push through a 64-team World Cup?
If we have learned one thing from Gianni Infantino's Fifa tenure, it is that more is better. That could mean 64 teams at the World Cup.
Gianni Infantino’s time at the helm of FIFA has often been marked by expansion, and a new idea linked to the governing body’s long-term direction is drawing attention: the possibility of a 64-team World Cup.
According to a BBC Sports report, the suggestion fits a pattern that has defined much of Infantino’s presidency, in which bigger tournaments and broader participation have become a recurring theme. The latest discussion does not confirm that a 64-team World Cup is imminent, but it shows that the idea is being considered in the wider conversation around the future of the competition.
The current men’s World Cup already has a larger field than it did in previous decades, and the tournament is set to grow again under plans already approved for upcoming editions. A further expansion to 64 teams would represent another major shift, with significant implications for qualification, scheduling and the scale of the finals themselves. Even without formal details in the BBC report, the proposal alone signals how far the debate over the tournament’s format has moved.
For FIFA, any change of this size would go beyond simple logistics. More teams would mean more matches, more global representation and potentially more opportunities for nations that have historically struggled to reach the finals. At the same time, it would likely raise questions about whether the event could absorb yet another expansion without affecting competitive balance or the demands on players and host countries.
The BBC Sports piece frames the idea within Infantino’s broader approach to FIFA, one that has consistently favoured enlargement and inclusion. That makes the concept of a 64-team World Cup less surprising than it might once have seemed, even if it remains controversial and far from settled.
No formal decision is reported in the feed summary, and there is no confirmation that such a format will be adopted. Still, the fact that it is being discussed is enough to keep the prospect in the spotlight, especially as football’s global governing body continues to shape the future of its marquee event.
This report is based on a monitored public feed and attributed to BBC Sports. Source: BBC Sports - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cly7ley50g9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
