In a clear choice of prestige over participation, FIFA has decided against expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams. The governing body has shelved the proposal for the 2030 tournament, signaling a commitment to preserving the event’s elite status rather than transforming it into a mass participation festival.
The push for a 64-team format came from South American football leaders, who presented their case for a more inclusive centenary World Cup to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Their vision would have seen nearly a third of all FIFA members qualify for the finals.
However, this vision of a more open tournament has been rejected by those who fear it would diminish the achievement of reaching the World Cup. Inside FIFA, there is a strong consensus that the tournament’s prestige is derived from its exclusivity and high level of competition. A 64-team format, it is feared, would dilute this by allowing weaker teams to qualify.
This position has been publicly supported by influential figures like UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, who argued that the quality of the tournament would suffer. His stance reflects a broader belief that the World Cup should be a showcase of the very best, and that its value lies in its difficulty to attain.
With the expansion to 48 teams already set for 2026, FIFA has drawn a line. The decision to reject a further increase to 64 teams is a definitive statement that, for the World Cup, preserving prestige remains the top priority.
Preserving Prestige: FIFA Chooses Elite Competition Over Mass Participation
