FIFA has accelerated the process of expanding the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64 teams due to a potential boycott if UEFA sells its competition rights to private investors.
Idman.Biz reports that Sky News journalist Rob Harris has obtained a confidential document from the organization regarding this matter.
"FIFA is considering the strategic implications of a possible expansion of the FIFA World Cup. In this regard, FIFA intends to appoint an independent agency to determine the impact of expanding the World Cup from 48 teams to 64 teams, starting from the 2030 tournament, on the attractiveness of the tournament and the football ecosystem.
The survey requires both an assessment of tournament revenues and a comprehensive assessment of changes from the perspective of the football ecosystem (brands, broadcasters, audiences, media companies, federations, confederations, leagues, clubs, and other sports industry stakeholders).
The analysis should investigate market demand and the systemic effects of this step, including commercial space and saturation risk. Consumer or fan survey data may be used if useful, but it should not be the main focus of the study, as the study is focused on B2B (business-to-business).", according to the FIFA document published by Harris on his X social media page.