Lent.az
FIFA President and CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) have discussed a potential increase to 64 teams for the 2030 World Cup.
According to Lent.az, citing foreign media, this move could turn the tournament into the largest competition in history and guarantee a place for all 10 countries representing the South American Confederation.
Meeting of FIFA and CONMEBOL leaders
On September 23 in New York, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez, as well as the heads of the football federations of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
The main topic of discussion was the expansion of the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams. CONMEBOL's proposal to increase the number of participants was first presented in March 2025.
"We believe in the historic 2030 World Cup! Thank you, President Gianni Infantino, for congratulating us and sharing this journey to the 100th anniversary of football's greatest celebration," Dominguez shared on social media after the meeting.
A major tournament covering three continents
The 2030 World Cup will be held in six countries: Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
The tournament will cover three continents and could include 128 matches, doubling the number of matches in the previous 64-match format (1998-2022).
According to Dominguez, the new format will allow group stage matches to be held in South America, making the tournament unique.
"This simply cannot be just another event; This is a unique opportunity to host group stage matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay," said Dominguez.
Possible changes and criticisms
If FIFA approves this initiative, all 10 CONMEBOL representatives, including countries that have never participated in the World Cup before, such as Venezuela, will be able to qualify for the tournament.
However, critics note that expanding to 64 teams could lower the level of play in most continents and weaken the qualifying stages.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has previously called the idea of a 64-team World Cup "bad".
Therefore, for the first time since 1998, the World Cup will expand to 48 teams in 2026, and the 2030 World Cup will already be the largest in football history.
