How would a 64-team World Cup work? FIFA expansion plan explained for 2030 - format, groups and schedule
FIFA is considering expanding the World Cup again. Here’s how a 64-team tournament could actually work in practice.
The 2026 World Cup has been the biggest in history, expanding to 48 teams across the United States, Canada and Mexico. But even before it has concluded, talk has already turned to something even bigger. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that football’s governing body will examine the possibility of expanding the tournament to 64 teams as early as the 2030 World Cup.
It’s a proposal that would fundamentally reshape the competition, from qualification to the final. So how would a 64-team World Cup actually work?
Gianni Infantino has said FIFA will examine expanding the World Cup by a further 16 nations to a 64-team tournament ahead of its next edition in 2030.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) July 12, 2026
The 2030 tournament will be spread across six nations and three continents: Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay are scheduled to… pic.twitter.com/oFupwuWRvn
The most likely format: 16 groups of four
If FIFA were to expand to 64 teams, the most straightforward structure would mirror the traditional format used from 1998 to 2022 when there were just 32 teams, but scaled up.
- 16 groups of four teams
- Each team plays three group-stage matches
- Top two teams from each group advance
| Format | Teams | Groups | Teams Advancing | Knockout Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32-team | 32 | 8 | 16 | Round of 16 |
| 48-team | 48 | 12 | 32 (top 2+ 8-best 3rd place) | Round of 32 |
| 64-team | 64 | 16 | 32 (top 2 only) | Round of 32 |
This would produce a 32-team knockout stage, identical in size to the entire tournament format used for over two decades. From there, the competition would follow the same path:
- Round of 32
- Round of 16
- Quarterfinals
- Semifinals
- Final
In total, the tournament would likely feature 128 matches, doubling the 64-game format used in the 32-team era and significantly expanding on the 104 matches scheduled for 2026.
Why not stick with three-team groups?
The 2026 World Cup introduced a controversial format of 12 groups of four, avoiding earlier plans for three-team groups due to concerns about fairness and potential collusion.
A 64-team tournament would likely avoid three-team groups entirely for similar reasons - uneven rest periods, risk of manipulated results, and ess compelling final group matches. Returning to four-team groups would restore balance and competitive integrity, even if it increases the number of total matches.
What happens to qualification?
This is where the biggest changes would be felt. With 64 teams qualifying, nearly one-third of FIFA’s 210+ member nations would reach the finals. Some regions could see most of their teams qualify automatically. So traditional qualification campaigns could lose significance.
For example, South America (CONMEBOL) already sends six teams directly to a 48-team World Cup. In a 64-team scenario, that number could rise even further, potentially meaning only a few nations miss out.
Critics argue this would dilute the prestige of qualifying, while supporters say it would give more nations a chance to grow and compete on the global stage.
Scheduling and logistics: A major challenge
A 64-team tournament would be unprecedented in scale. Key logistical questions include the length of the tournament, which could extend beyond a month, the number of host cities and stadiums required, and of course, player workload and recovery time.
The 2030 World Cup is already set to span multiple continents, with matches planned in South America, Europe and Africa. Expanding to 64 teams would only add more complexity to an already historic setup.
Why FIFA is considering expansion
Infantino has framed expansion as part of FIFA’s mission to make football more global. His argument is that more teams equals more representation, and more representation equals more investment and development worldwide.
Supporters, particularly in South America, have pushed for expansion as a way to include more nations in a landmark centenary tournament in 2030.
But not everyone is convinced. Critics, including leading figures in European football, argue that the tournament could become too long and diluted, that group-stage matches may lose competitiveness, and that qualification could become less meaningful.
There are also concerns about player welfare, with an already crowded football calendar stretching even further.
The World Cup has evolved dramatically over the decades, from 16 teams, to 24, to 32, and now 48. A jump to 64 would be the biggest transformation yet.
For now, it’s just a proposal. But with FIFA confirming it will be discussed after the 2026 tournament, the idea is definitely on the table. And if it happens, the World Cup as we know it will never look the same again.
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