World Cup Expansion Plans: Momentum Building Toward 60+ Team Format Beyond 2026

The concept of pushing World Cup participation beyond 60 teams has gained traction among national football federations, according to reporting from Spanish sports media. What began as a proposal from South America's continental confederation months ago is now receiving renewed consideration, with the underlying aim of broadening the tournament's reach and allowing nations previously unable to qualify an opportunity to compete on the world stage.

The timing of this discussion remains notable, as the 48-team format—a significant departure from the traditional 32-team structure—has yet to commence. The 2026 tournament, scheduled to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada beginning next summer, will mark the inaugural edition under this expanded model. That tournament will include first-time participants such as Jordan, Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, and Curacao.

The expansion initiative reflects the strategic direction of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, whose stated objective centers on advancing "football pluralism" and reimagining the World Cup as a truly inclusive global celebration. While the proposal remains under examination, FIFA is expected to withhold any formal announcements regarding the 2030 World Cup format until after July 19, 2026—the date scheduled for the final match of the 2026 competition. This delay will allow the federation to assess the 48-team experiment and determine whether further expansion merits implementation in subsequent tournaments.