FIFA begins formal review of 64-team World Cup proposal

FIFA has taken a formal step toward evaluating a major expansion of the FIFA World Cup, launching a comprehensive feasibility study into increasing the tournament from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 centenary edition.

According to an internal FIFA document obtained by Reuters, the world football governing body plans to appoint an independent research firm to assess the sporting, commercial and operational impact of the proposed expansion.

The study will examine whether a 64-team World Cup is practical and sustainable, while evaluating its potential effects on the tournament's overall quality, competitive balance, commercial value and organisational demands.

The proposal follows the successful introduction of the 48-team format at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which expanded the group stage and introduced an additional knockout round.

The idea of a further expansion was first floated by CONMEBOL, South America's football governing body, which argued last year that the 2030 World Cup—marking the tournament's 100th anniversary—should provide more nations with the opportunity to participate in football's biggest global event.

According to the FIFA document, the independent study will specifically analyse whether expanding the competition to 64 teams would dilute sporting quality, increase fixture congestion, place greater physical demands on players or create logistical and organisational challenges.

The report will also assess whether any additional commercial and financial benefits generated by the expansion would be sustainable in the long term or outweighed by the associated risks.

FIFA expects to finalise the appointment of the independent research firm by August 14, with the selected organisation given four weeks to complete the assessment. The final report is scheduled to be submitted by September 11.

The findings are expected to play a key role in determining whether FIFA proceeds with one of the most significant structural changes in World Cup history.