The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup is drawing attention as it may expand from 48 to 64 participating nations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in a recent interview with Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport on Monday, revealed plans to discuss further expansion through relevant committees following the upcoming North and Central American World Cup.
Infantino stressed that the World Cup isn’t exclusive to Europe and South America. Every nation worldwide should have the opportunity to dream of World Cup participation. He added that no country should lose its soccer aspirations due to qualification hurdles.
The World Cup, which had long maintained a 32-team format, will increase to 48 countries for the upcoming North and Central American tournament, adding 12 more teams.
This expansion has significantly boosted Africa’s representation to 10 countries, with an impressive 9 advancing to the Round of 32.
Infantino cited Africa’s success as evidence of the importance of inclusivity in soccer, highlighting the significance of the proposed expansion.
The concept of a 64-nation World Cup isn’t new.
Last March, Ignacio Alonso, president of the Uruguayan Football Association, proposed increasing participation to 64 countries to commemorate the tournament’s centennial, aiming to offer more nations a chance to compete.
However, public opinion was initially skeptical before the North and Central American World Cup.
Other continents, including Asia, Europe, and North America, strongly opposed the idea, arguing it would cause significant disruption.
Notably, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), cautioned that while the 64-country expansion might be a one-off event, it could lead to calls for 132 countries in the future. It should avoid the chaos that such drastic changes might bring.
However, with the 48-country format proving successful despite initial concerns, discussions are likely to continue from a fresh perspective.
The 2030 World Cup, scheduled for four years from now, will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Additionally, some matches will be held in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to commemorate the tournament’s centennial.
