Could the next World Cup have even more teams? FIFA is considering it

FIFA Weighs Further Expansion: Could the World Cup Grow Beyond 48 Teams?

Could the next World Cup have – This piece originally ran in CNN Sports’ daily newsletter, “The Beautiful Game,” which covers everything related to the World Cup. Readers can subscribe by clicking the provided link. Welcome to the concluding week of this year’s tournament, everyone. Tomorrow marks the beginning of the first semifinal clash between Spain and France, but there are numerous other subjects to explore before then.

In today’s edition, we join photographers capturing the summer matches and examine how one global icon’s existence has transformed throughout this historic tournament. Yet before diving into those stories, consider this question: might soccer’s premier competition become too large? When organizers revealed that this edition would feature a record-breaking 48 nations, initial reactions included some skepticism. Critics maintained that the event should remain exclusive, while others worried that overall match quality would decline.

Both concerns held merit to varying degrees, yet the expanded format has successfully converted many doubters. Numerous first-time participants impressed considerably. Cape Verde advanced to the knockout phase, while Curaçao captured audiences with their enthusiasm and energy—alongside their remarkable uniforms. Without the extended structure, several compelling narratives from this World Cup simply would not have emerged.

Infantino’s Vision for a 64-Team Future

Given these developments, it seems logical that FIFA President Gianni Infantino might explore adding additional countries. When Swiss publication Bluewin inquired about potential future growth, Infantino responded:

“That’s definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup.”

He continued:

“When organizing a World Cup, it’s important to organize it for the whole world – not just Europe and South America – but effectively the entire world. Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup.”

Infantino emphasized that global standards continue rising:

“You can see that the quality of the teams is extremely high – and it’s getting higher and higher, all over the world. If you don’t give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they’ll lack the incentive to keep improving.”

Looking Ahead to 2030

The 2030 tournament will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. However, the opening three fixtures will take place in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to commemorate a century since the inaugural tournament was held in Uruguay. CONMEBOL, South America’s football governing body, has already suggested a 64-team format for 2030 to honor the centenary celebration.

While numerous stakeholders recognize financial and legacy advantages of such growth, not everyone shares enthusiasm. The current 104-match schedule already extends the tournament considerably. Competitors reaching the later rounds face minimal recovery time before their club commitments resume. Players may not welcome additional fixtures with open arms.

This concept remains in preliminary phases, yet it prompts meaningful discussion: is there such a thing as excessive success? We shall discover the answer soon enough.

Final Week Schedule

Before concluding, here are the key dates and times for the tournament’s closing seven days:

Semifinal 1 (France vs. Spain) – July 14 When? 3 p.m. ET Where? Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium), Arlington, Texas, USA

Semifinal 2 (England vs. Argentina) – July 15 When? 3 p.m. ET Where? Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Third-place match – July 18 When? 5 p.m. ET Where? Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium), Miami Gardens, Florida, USA

World Cup final – July 19 When? 3 p.m. ET Where? New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA

Haaland’s Unofficial Tournament Triumph

“I think this has changed my life, to be honest.” These words came from Erling Haaland, Norway’s prolific striker. Though his nation did not claim victory, Haaland emerged as the tournament’s unofficial centerpiece. The charismatic forward already enjoyed considerable fame before this edition, but his online popularity has skyrocketed as fans embraced his distinctive personality.

Haaland clearly relished his North American experience, finding joy both on and off the field. This exposure has elevated him to household status worldwide. With Norway’s campaign concluded, CNN Sports wanted to honor Haaland one final time in The Beautiful Game. His journey through this World Cup represents something truly special—a player whose impact transcends mere statistics and becomes part of the tournament’s enduring legacy.