The South American governing body Conmebol has proposed expanding the 2030 men’s World Cup to 64 teams.
The tournament will be hosted by Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, with opening matches held in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
“This will allow all countries to have the opportunity to live the world experience and so nobody on the planet is left out of the party,” said Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez at the body’s congress on Thursday.
The proposal aims to mark the competition’s 100-year anniversary, with the 2026 World Cup already set to feature 48 teams.
The idea was first raised by Uruguayan Football Federation president Ignacio Alonso at a Fifa Council meeting in March.
Fifa’s Response
FIFA has a “duty to analyse any proposal from one of its Council members,” according to a statement on Friday. Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, participated in Thursday’s Conmebol Congress and highlighted the “exceptional milestone” the 2030 tournament would represent.
If accepted, the proposal would increase the number of matches to 128, up from the 64-game format played between 1998 and 2022.
However, critics argue that expansion devalues the qualification process.
*”This proposal was maybe even more surprising for me than you. I think it is a bad idea,”* said Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin at a news conference.
Environmental Issues and Hosting Arrangements
The decision to host the tournament across three continents has raised environmental concerns. Environmental group Fossil Free Football described it as a “climate nightmare.”
The 2030 World Cup will be held across three continents for the first time, with Spain, Portugal, and Morocco named as hosts in 2024. Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay will also host matches to mark the 100-year anniversary of the first World Cup tournament.
“We are convinced that the centennial celebration will be unique because 100 years are celebrated only once,” said Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez.
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