Leaders from South American football made a direct appeal to FIFA President Gianni Infantino in New York, lobbying for a 64-team World Cup in 2030, but the governing body has made it clear that the expansion is not in its plans. The proposal, while ambitious, faces a wall of opposition from key stakeholders who fear it would devalue the sport’s pinnacle event.
The Conmebol delegation, featuring top officials from Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, met with Infantino to formally present their vision of a centenary tournament with an unprecedented number of participants. The main benefit for their region would be the high probability of all ten South American nations qualifying for the finals, a massive boost for the continent’s football prestige.
Despite the formal presentation, the idea has failed to gain traction within FIFA. Insiders have stated that the proposal is deeply unpopular in the FIFA Council and would not survive a vote. The core arguments against it center on the potential for a decline in quality, with too many non-competitive games, and the risk it poses to the World Cup’s successful financial model.
This viewpoint is supported by powerful figures outside the council room. UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has publicly criticized the plan, calling it a “bad idea” that would undermine the entire qualifying process. His sentiment is shared by Concacaf head Victor Montagliani, showing that resistance to the plan is widespread.
With the first 48-team World Cup just around the corner in 2026, the consensus within FIFA is to focus on making that new format a success before considering any further changes. The 64-team proposal, therefore, has been put on the back burner, with no discussion planned for the next FIFA Council meeting.