Gianni Infantino says 64-team FIFA World Cup expansion will 'be examined' after 2026 tournament - 'Allowed to dream'
Updated 12/07/2026 at 15:07 GMT+1
React to this story
Gianni Infantino has confirmed that FIFA will examine increasing the number of teams at the World Cup to 64. This year’s tournament is the largest ever, having been expanded from 32 to 48 teams, resulting in an additional 40 games.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 11: FIFA President Gianni Infantino holds his hands in a prayer during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Norway and England at Miami Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Infantino believes that the success of the 48-team format proves that there is more than enough quality in international football to justify another expansion.
”It (a 64-team tournament) is definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup," Infantino told Swiss outlet Bluewin.
”Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup.
”You can see that the quality of the teams is extremely high and it’s getting higher and higher, all over the world.
”If you don’t give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they’ll lack the incentive to keep improving.”
Cape Verde were the great success story of the increase to 48 teams at this summer's tournament in North America.
They famously drew 0-0 with Euro 2024 winners Spain, then claimed a 2-2 draw with two-time winners Uruguay and a 0-0 draw with 2034 hosts Saudi Arabia.
Three points and a neutral goal difference was enough to see them progress to the last 32 as one of the best third-placed sides.
At that stage, they met Lionel Messi’s Argentina, dramatically coming from behind twice before ultimately falling to a 3-2 defeat after extra-time.
However, several smaller sides struggled against more experienced opponents, with Haiti, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan, Uzbekistan and Panama all failing to register a point during the group stages.
- 'Whatever' - Bellingham responds as Tuchel tears into England performance
- England player ratings after Bellingham comes up clutch again
Uruguayan Football Federation president Ignacio Alonso called for a 64-team World Cup at a FIFA council that met last year.
The World Cup had been a 32-team tournament since 1998, prior to this year’s change.
Despite the expanded tournament, the four semi-finalists are also the four teams that currently occupy the top spots in FIFA’s world ranking system.
France will face Spain in the first semi-final on Tuesday night, after they beat Morocco and Belgium, respectively.
The winner of that clash will go head-to-head with either England or Argentina.
The Three Lions secured their fourth World Cup semi-final with a 2-1 win against Norway, while Messi’s side battled to a hard-fought 3-1 victory over the 10-men of Switzerland.
The World Cup final is set to be played next Sunday, July 19, in New Jersey.
The 2030 edition will celebrate 100 years since the first World Cup in 1930, which only featured 13 teams.
Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.
Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Advertisement
Advertisement