Centennial celebration of the World Cup could bring the biggest tournament in history

FIFA is considering expanding the tournament to a record-breaking 64 teams to mark the 100th anniversary of the World Cup in 2030. The proposal came from Uruguay and received support from Argentina, Paraguay, and the South American confederation CONMEBOL.

The first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930. CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez called for a “global celebration” of soccer, emphasizing that such an opportunity only comes once in a century.

However, the plan also has its critics. The main concerns are an overloaded match schedule and logistical problems, as the tournament would comprise up to 128 games.

FIFA had already decided to expand the tournament to 48 teams, which will be implemented in 2026 in the US, Canada, and Mexico. In 2030, the World Cup is to take place on three continents – South America, Europe, and Africa. Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina would each host one game at the start, with the majority of the matches taking place in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

If the 64-team format is approved, it would be a one-time exception – FIFA wants to return to 48 participants from 2034.

(reuters, max)