FIFA President Gianni Infantino has acknowledged that the organization will begin discussions about expanding the World Cup to 64 teams, a move that could solidify the United States as a permanent host for the tournament. The announcement comes after the 2026 World Cup, which featured a 48-team format for the first time, was widely praised for its attendance, viewership, and fan engagement.
Infantino told Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport that the expansion would be reviewed by relevant committees after the current tournament. He argued that a larger format would allow more nations to participate, fostering global interest in soccer. «Every nation should be able to dream of taking part in the World Cup,» Infantino said. «If you don't give smaller countries the chance to participate, they also lose the incentive to keep improving.»
The 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, set attendance records during the group stage, with fans from around the world traveling to see their teams. The U.S. men's national team also broke viewership records, with their match against Belgium becoming the most-watched English-language soccer broadcast in American history. The success has bolstered arguments for further expansion.
However, a 64-team format would present significant logistical challenges. The tournament could include up to 128 matches, requiring a minimum of 20 stadiums with capacities exceeding 60,000 seats. The United States, with approximately 75 such venues, is uniquely positioned to host such an event. In contrast, the United Kingdom has 11, Spain has five, and Germany has four. Combining multiple European countries would be necessary to match the U.S. infrastructure, but that would complicate travel and coordination.
Infantino emphasized that the expansion would not only be financially beneficial but also competitively sound. «We can see that the quality of the teams is extremely high, and it's getting higher and higher everywhere in the world,» he said. Critics, however, argue that a 64-team format could dilute the quality of the tournament and make qualifying rounds less meaningful, as most major soccer nations would automatically qualify.
The idea of making the United States the permanent World Cup host has gained traction among some observers, given the country's ability to accommodate large crowds and its modern stadiums that require minimal upgrades. The 2026 tournament has demonstrated that American fans are enthusiastic hosts, with neutral spectators spending heavily on tickets and local turnout exceeding expectations.
European soccer federations are likely to resist the proposal, citing concerns about travel distances and the loss of the tournament's rotating host tradition. The current format rotates the World Cup among continents, with the 2030 edition set to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, and the 2034 tournament awarded to Saudi Arabia. A permanent U.S. hosting arrangement would break with that tradition.
Despite the potential obstacles, FIFA's financial incentives are strong. More teams mean more matches, which translate into higher broadcasting fees, ticket sales, and sponsorship revenue. The 2026 World Cup has already generated record-breaking income for the organization, and a 64-team format could further boost those numbers.
Infantino's comments have sparked debate among soccer officials and fans. While some see the expansion as a way to grow the sport globally, others worry about the impact on player welfare and the quality of competition. The discussions are expected to intensify after the current tournament concludes, with FIFA committees weighing the pros and cons of the proposal.
For now, the United States remains a strong candidate for future World Cup hosting, whether as part of a rotating system or as a permanent home. The success of the 2026 event has shown that the country can deliver a world-class tournament, and the infrastructure is already in place to handle even larger crowds. As Infantino put it, «When you organize a World Cup, it's important that you organize it for the whole world.»
