Aleksander Čeferin, the President of UEFA, firmly rejected a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams during a press conference on April 3, 2025.
The idea, unexpectedly raised by Ignacio Alonso of the Uruguayan Football Association at a FIFA Council meeting on March 5, caught attention despite the upcoming 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada already increasing from 32 to 48 teams. Čeferin expressed surprise and concern, arguing that such an expansion would harm both the tournament’s quality and the qualification process managed by each continental federation.
FIFA described the suggestion as spontaneous and promised to study it, though President Gianni Infantino’s position remains unclear. The 2030 tournament, set to be hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, will also feature three celebratory matches in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to mark the World Cup’s centenary. Čeferin’s stance underscores a broader tension in football about balancing growth with tradition, especially as the sport navigates its global appeal and logistical challenges.
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The 48 team format for 2026 is already a significant shift, and pushing to 64 teams could further complicate scheduling, player fatigue, and competitive integrity.
For now, the debate highlights differing visions for the future of the world’s biggest football event, with UEFA signaling resistance while FIFA keeps its options open.
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