Alejandro Dominguez, the president of the South American football governing body CONMEBOL, has formally proposed an expansion of the men’s 2030 World Cup to include 64 teams. This ambitious initiative comes as part of the centennial celebration of the tournament, which began in Uruguay in 1930. The proposal was initially introduced last month by a Uruguayan delegate during an online meeting of FIFA’s ruling council, chaired by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This unexpected move has drawn attention and surprise from European football officials.
During his opening address at CONMEBOL’s 80th Ordinary Congress, Dominguez expressed enthusiasm for the centenary celebration, emphasizing that such an occasion is rare. The upcoming World Cup is already poised to be groundbreaking with six host nations distributed across three continents, making it a truly global event.
Uruguay, celebrating its historical significance as the inaugural World Cup host, is scheduled to hold one match, while Paraguay, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will also share hosting responsibilities. Dominguez noted that this proposal represents a historic opportunity, aiming to host this milestone anniversary with the participation of 64 teams across multiple regions.
Currently, the World Cup features 32 teams, with plans to expand to 48 for the 2026 tournament, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This latest expansion, if approved by FIFA, would elevate the tournament to a total of 128 matches—effectively doubling the number previously played from 1998 to 2022.
The proposed increase to 64 teams would likely guarantee participation from all 10 CONMEBOL member nations in this grand celebration, with Venezuela being the only nation yet to qualify for a World Cup. Dominguez highlighted that this format would provide an opportunity for nations to partake in the global spectacle, ensuring that no country is isolated from the celebration.
FIFA President Infantino has been an advocate for expanding tournaments since taking office in 2016, aiming to generate more revenue and provide enhanced opportunities for member federations and their national teams. However, the proposal has drawn criticism, notably from UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, who labeled the expansion to 64 teams a misguided decision. Skeptics have raised concerns that such a move could compromise the quality of play and undermine the integrity of qualifying tournaments globally.
As discussions surrounding the proposal continue, the football community watches closely, eager to see how this ambitious vision for the future of soccer will unfold.
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