FIFA eyes 64-team World Cup expansion for 2030 edition

A FIFA flag waves in the air before the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston.(AP)

ZURICH, Switzerland, July 12: Following the expansion of the current World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, with the tournament also increasing to 104 matches, FIFA's proposal to further enlarge the competition to 64 nations is gaining momentum and moving beyond the stage of a simple suggestion.

The idea, put forward by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, is part of the governing body's broader strategy to maximize the financial and commercial potential of the World Cup following the expected success of the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FIFA aims to turn the World Cup into the world's biggest sporting and entertainment event, with plans to set new records in broadcasting revenue, sponsorship income and hospitality sales.

The 2026 World Cup is projected to generate record revenues of nearly $9 billion, around $2 billion more than the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Bloomberg described the competition as a "gold mine" for FIFA due to its growing global commercial value.

Swiss outlet Blue Sport quoted Infantino as defending the expansion idea, saying:

"The whole world should be allowed to dream of the World Cup, not just Europe and South America."

The potential 64-team format for the 2030 World Cup remains under discussion, but FIFA sees a larger tournament as an opportunity to increase global participation and further boost the event's worldwide appeal.