Champions League
Fifa Fast-Tracks Plan to Expand World Cup to 64 Teams by 2030
Fifa has launched a fast-tracked research tender to assess expanding the World Cup to 64 teams by 2030, with results due by September and a potential decision this year.
Fifa is pushing ahead with ambitious plans to expand the World Cup from the current 48 teams to 64 teams starting with the 2030 tournament. The governing body has opened a fast-tracked tender for research companies to evaluate the economic impact of such a significant increase.
The accelerated research process was revealed in a recently seen "research brief" that outlines a consultation phase to assess the potential expansion. The tender will be awarded by 14 August, with the selected research group required to deliver their findings by 11 September. This tight timeline suggests that Fifa could make a formal decision on the expansion before the end of 2026.
This development marks a major shift in how the World Cup will be structured. Currently, the tournament features 48 teams, a format that was introduced for the 2026 event. Expanding to 64 teams would represent a substantial increase in participating nations, potentially reshaping qualification processes, tournament scheduling, and the global reach of the competition.
Such an expansion could have wide-reaching effects on the football calendar and the market for hosting rights. More teams mean more matches, which could increase broadcast revenues and fan engagement worldwide. However, it also raises questions about logistical challenges for host countries and the competitive balance of the tournament.
Fifa's move comes amid a series of notable announcements about the future of international football competitions, indicating the organization's intent to reshape the sport's global landscape significantly.
Looking ahead, the next key milestone will be the delivery of the research report in September. Following that, Fifa may announce a final decision on the 64-team format later this year. This decision will set the stage for qualification campaigns and preparations for the 2030 World Cup, which will be closely watched by football fans, federations, and commercial partners around the world.
For further details, visit theguardian.com.
