Despite pushback on FIFA’s private investment plan, the organisation is already pushing for another drastic change to the World Cup in two weeks.
Soccer fans aren’t being allowed to catch their breath after the 2026 World Cup, with FIFA trying to make wholesale changes to the competition.
Gianni Infantino and the organisation have come under fire for their plan to privatise the World Cup and other FIFA competitions. The soccer world is standing united against that proposal.
But while a lot of the attention remains on what happens there, it seems that football’s largest governing body is trying to enact another massive change in terms of the World Cup.
FIFA pushing for 64-team World Cup decision to be made by August 14th
The 2026 World Cup was the first time in the competition’s history that 48 nations participated. Historically, the main tournament has always featured only 32 teams.
However, FIFA seemingly aren’t satisfied with this; there have long been plans for another expansion. And the latest tournament’s success seemingly has the organisation ready to increase that number to 64.
“FIFA has started a consultation process over an expansion of the men’s World Cup to 64 teams, with documents seen by ESPN aiming for a decision by Aug. 14,” the report reads.
“The cut-off date is a month before FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s deadline for 211 member associations to green-light his plan to sell off a stake controlling FIFA major competitions.”
While the plan to involve private investment has received uniform backlash, the 64-team project is likely to see member federations be further divided. What decision they come to remains to be seen.
64-team World Cup proposal is being researched by an independent agency
FIFA are wasting no time trying to make things happen, and ESPN reports that documents suggest the motion is being researched by a third party
“Therefore, FIFA wishes to appoint an independent agency to determine whether and how expanding the FIFA World Cup from 48 to 64 participating teams, starting with the 2030 edition, would impact on the tournament proposition football ecosystem,” says the document.
Furthermore, the agency proposal is reportedly set to be delivered by August 7th, following a research brief sharing. This proposition seems more realistic than fans might be ready for.
Despite concerns about the expanded World Cup, 2026 proved that neither quality, nor entertainment value suffer with more participating nations. Whether another expansion will help or hurt remains to be seen.
