Barely has the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico become history, the focus of the football world is already turning to the next major tournament: The 2030 World Cup will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco – with three anniversary matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to mark the 100th anniversary of the World Cup. But before the first ball rolls, one question is occupying associations, fans and experts alike: Will it remain at 48 teams – or will the tournament be expanded to 64 nations?
The background is a proposal that was initially brought up spontaneously in March 2025 in the FIFA Council by the president of the Uruguayan football association, Ignacio Alonso, and subsequently publicly supported by CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez. Domínguez campaigned for a one-time expansion to 64 teams for the 100th World Cup birthday. His reasoning: A historic anniversary deserves a historic and as inclusive as possible format that offers more nations the chance to participate in a World Cup. FIFA President Gianni Infantino showed openness to examining the proposal.
However, resistance to the plan is considerable. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin publicly called the idea a "bad idea" and pointed to both the impact on the tournament itself and on qualification. CONCACAF chief Victor Montagliani also expressed considerable scepticism. The points of criticism range from the additional burden on an already packed football calendar to logistical challenges and a possible devaluation of qualification and dilution of sporting quality. Resistance also came from Asia.
**As it stands currently, the format remains at 48 teams.** FIFA has continued to provide for a tournament with 48 nations for the 2030 World Cup. A final decision on a possible expansion to 64 teams would still need to be made; it is not currently decided.
What would an expansion to 64 teams concretely mean? With an obvious 64-team format of 16 four-team groups, **128 matches** would be needed – 24 more than the currently planned 48-team World Cup with 104 matches. This would significantly increase the organizational effort and could also affect the tournament duration. For smaller nations – particularly from Africa, Asia and Oceania – an expansion would be a great opportunity: more spots would give countries that have rarely or never participated in a World Cup better chances of participation. At the same time, critics fear lower sporting quality and further devaluation of qualification.
For the ongoing 2030 World Cup qualification, a late format change would have far-reaching consequences. Continental associations would need to adjust their distribution keys. In the existing 48-team model, **16 direct spots for Europe, 9 for Africa, 8 for Asia, 6 for South America, 6 for the CONCACAF zone and 1 for Oceania** are provided. Two additional spots are awarded via an intercontinental playoff tournament.
For the 2030 World Cup, there is a special feature: Spain, Portugal and Morocco are automatically qualified as main hosts. In addition, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, each hosting a match as part of the centenary celebration and also automatically qualified. This means **six nations are automatically included**. FIFA has explicitly determined that these six spots will be deducted from the quotas of their respective confederations. In the current 48-team model, this particularly reduces the number of regularly distributed spots for UEFA, CAF and CONMEBOL.
With an expansion to 64 teams, the quotas would change accordingly. However, how many additional spots each confederation would receive is **not yet determined**. Accordingly, no binding new qualification quotas can currently be stated. The implications would be relevant, among other things, for the schedules that interested parties can follow in the qualification schedule.
A look at history shows: World Cup expansions have occurred repeatedly. From 16 teams (until 1978) to 24 (from 1982) and 32 (from 1998) to 48 (from 2026) – each expansion was initially discussed controversially. The 48-team format made its debut in 2026 in North America. More details in our overview of World Cup history.
For fans, the debate remains exciting. One thing is clear: whether 48 or 64 teams – the 2030 World Cup will in any case be an extraordinary tournament that brings together three continents and a whole century of football history. According to the currently officially planned concept, 101 matches will be played in Spain, Portugal and Morocco; three additional matches will take place as part of the centenary celebration in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.