FIFA Considering World Cup Expansion to 64 Teams

FIFA will open discussions on further expanding the World Cup after the 2026 tournament concludes. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said he would consider a proposal to increase the number of participating teams from the current 48 to 64, according to the Interfax news agency.

According to Infantino, expansion would give more countries a realistic chance of qualifying for the world's largest soccer tournament. The push for expansion is being led by Alejandro Domínguez, president of the South American Football Confederation.

Under the proposed format, the tournament would feature 16 groups of four teams each, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage.

The tournament currently underway in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is the first in history to feature 48 teams, and it has not yet concluded. FIFA intends to decide on any further expansion only after evaluating this tournament.

(mja)