FIFA has formally begun evaluating the possibility of expanding the FIFA World Cup to 64 participating nations for the tournament’s centenary edition in 2030, despite only recently introducing a 48-team format at the 2026 finals. The world football governing body is preparing to appoint an independent research organisation to examine whether another significant expansion would be practical, commercially sustainable and beneficial for the competition as a whole.
According to a document obtained by Reuters, the independent study will assess the likely impact of increasing the number of competing teams from 48 to 64. The research will focus on several key areas, including the overall quality of the tournament, its commercial value, organisational requirements and long-term viability. FIFA wants an evidence-based assessment before considering any decision on such a major structural change.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup marked the first edition to feature 48 national teams, an increase from the previous 32-team format that had been in place since 1998. The expanded tournament introduced more groups, additional fixtures and an extra knockout round, making it the largest World Cup in history. Even before the long-term effects of that expansion have been fully assessed, discussions have already begun about whether the competition should grow further.
The proposal for a 64-team World Cup was formally put forward last year by CONMEBOL, South America’s football confederation. It argued that the 2030 tournament, which will commemorate 100 years since the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930, presents a unique opportunity to allow more nations to participate in football’s most prestigious international competition. Supporters of the proposal believe a larger tournament would broaden global representation and strengthen football’s worldwide appeal.
FIFA’s research document states that the governing body intends to appoint an independent organisation to determine the likely consequences of expanding the tournament from 48 to 64 teams from 2030 onwards. The study will examine whether such a format is realistically achievable and whether the potential advantages outweigh the associated challenges.
Among the issues expected to be analysed are the competitive balance of the tournament, the quality of matches, the pressure on the already congested international football calendar, logistical demands on host nations and the commercial implications for broadcasters, sponsors and organisers. The research will also consider whether a larger competition could place excessive strain on infrastructure, scheduling and tournament operations.
The document makes clear that financial considerations alone will not determine the outcome. Researchers will also be expected to evaluate whether any additional commercial revenue generated by a 64-team World Cup would remain sustainable over the long term rather than providing only short-term gains.
FIFA has announced that the organisation responsible for carrying out the study will be selected on 14 August. Once appointed, it will have just four weeks to complete its work and submit a comprehensive report by 11 September. The findings are expected to play an important role in shaping FIFA’s discussions on whether the World Cup should expand once again for its landmark centenary edition in 2030.
If approved, the proposal would represent another historic transformation for the world’s biggest football tournament. Any final decision, however, is expected to depend on whether the research concludes that a 64-team World Cup can preserve sporting quality while remaining operationally and financially sustainable.
