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As preparations for the historic 2026 FIFA World Cup gather pace, which will for the first time feature an expanded roster of 48 teams, fresh calls are emerging to push the boundaries even further. Alejandro Dominguez, President of CONMEBOL (the South American Football Confederation), has proposed increasing the number of participating nations to 64 for the 2030 edition, a tournament that will mark the centenary of the FIFA World Cup. FIFA had previously announced that the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, would see the number of teams rise from 32 to 48. This expansion will accommodate 104 matches across an estimated 16 host cities, significantly increasing global participation and opening the door for more nations to compete on football's grandest stage.
The 2026 tournament will also introduce a new format, with 12 groups of four teams each, instead of the originally proposed 16 groups of three, ensuring a fairer competition and maintaining fan interest throughout the group stage. Building on this spirit of inclusivity, Dominguez’s vision for the 2030 World Cup goes even further. He argues that expanding to 64 teams would create an unprecedented celebration of football, particularly fitting for the centennial tournament.
2030 FIFA World Cup to be played across multiple continents
The 2030 World Cup already promises to be a historic affair, with matches set to take place across multiple continents. FIFA recently confirmed that Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will be the main hosts, with opening games in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to honour the origins of the tournament. Dominguez believes that a 64-team format would enhance global representation, giving more countries especially from underrepresented regions the chance to compete and showcase their talent.
Talking about the same and justifying his proposal, Dominguez said, “So that all countries have the opportunity to live a global experience, and so that no one on this planet is left out of this celebration.” FIFA has not yet commented officially on Dominguez’s suggestion. For now, the football world watches closely as discussions continue about the future of the tournament.
