FIFA has sent a clear message to the football world: the 48-team World Cup is the future, and the door to any further expansion is, for now, firmly slammed shut. The governing body’s rejection of a 64-team proposal for the 2030 tournament solidifies the new format before it has even been implemented, signaling a period of intended stability.
The push for more came from South America’s Conmebol, which saw the 2030 centenary as an opportunity for another leap in size. Their officials presented the case to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, arguing for a grander and more inclusive event.
However, the response from FIFA’s core has been to prioritize consolidation over continued growth. Having made the momentous decision to expand from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 edition, the organization is now focused on the immense challenge of making that new format a success. An insider confirmed that the appetite for another, even more complex change, is non-existent within the FIFA Council.
This decision effectively locks in the 48-team, 104-match format as the standard for at least the next decade. It provides certainty for future bidders, broadcasters, and sponsors, who now have a clear understanding of the tournament’s scale and structure.
By rejecting the 64-team idea, FIFA is not just saying “no” to a single proposal. It is making a strategic declaration that the era of rapid format changes is over. The future is 48, and the organization’s energy will be devoted to making it work.