Gianni Infantino is seriously talking about a 64-team World Cup, and if his last 10 years as Fifa president tell us anything, it’s that he’s not messing around when he says “more is better.” We’ve seen it with more tournaments, more games, and definitely more money from inflated ticket prices, not to mention that wild 27-minute, 22-second halftime show at the World Cup final. But a 64-team tournament? That’s a whole new ball game, and not everyone is on board.
The “More Is Better” Mentality Meets the Pitch
Infantino’s whole deal has been about expansion, from the new-look Club World Cup to the already expanded World Cup. His stated reason for a 64-team mega-tournament? He says, “If you don’t give smaller countries a chance to participate, they’ll lack the incentive to keep improving.” The thing is, smaller countries like Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan already prove that if you’re good enough, you qualify! From a pure format perspective, 16 groups with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stage makes sense, no more complicated third-place scenarios. But is that really enough to justify such a massive shift? You have to wonder what the real endgame is here.
Who’s Driving This, and Who’s Pushing Back?
So, who’s actually clamoring for this 64-team beast? Look no further than Conmebol, the South American confederation. They’re hungry for more games. Back in April 2025, they specifically requested a one-off 64-team tournament so they could handle the additional four groups. Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez said it would ensure “nobody on the planet is left out of the party.” Within hours of the 2026 tournament finishing, Dominguez was on social media, declaring Conmebol was “working to ensure that the 2030 World Cup features 64 teams” and that “International football grows when it opens up to the world.” The 2030 World Cup, marking 100 years since the first in Uruguay, is primarily hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. That centenary host setup definitely adds fuel to Conmebol’s fire. But here’s the kicker: support from other confederations is basically non-existent. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin called it a “bad idea.” Concacaf president Victor Montagliani warned last year it would damage “the broader football ecosystem.” And AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa? He flat-out said it could bring “chaos.” The fate of this proposal lies with the 37 members of the Fifa Council.
Cape Verde’s Fairytale vs. The Devaluation Risk
The main arguments for a 64-team setup boil down to that “natural format” and, critically, more chances for emerging nations. Infantino absolutely champions the latter point, especially after the insane “heroics” of Cape Verde. Before the tournament, Fifa faced criticism that added teams wouldn’t be competitive. Then Cape Verde went out and drew with Spain and Uruguay, finishing second in their group. They even took mighty Argentina to extra time in the last 16 before losing 3-2! What a run, right? They were the only debutants to get out of their group. But while we all love a good underdog story, those fairytale moments have to be balanced with the competitive integrity of the tournament. The risk of diluting the quality and devaluing the greatest show on Earth is a huge concern.
This isn’t just a tweak; it’s a potential seismic shift for global football. The Fifa Council has a massive decision ahead of them. Will the push for “more” ultimately hurt the competitive balance we all cherish?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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