FIFA begins rushed review of a possible 64‑team World Cup from 2030

FIFA has launched an accelerated procurement process to examine a possible expansion of the men’s World Cup to 64 teams starting in 2030, commissioning an independent economic analysis with unusually tight deadlines that suggest urgency from the organisation’s leadership.

Fast timetable, wide implications

According to an internal document, FIFA invited independent agencies to submit bids by 7 August, will select a provider on 14 August, and expects the final study to be delivered by 11 September. The compressed schedule raises the prospect that a decision on the format change could be made before the end of this year.

The study brief asks bidders to evaluate the revenue impact and to model consequences across the football ecosystem — broadcasters, sponsors, confederations, leagues and clubs — while assessing long-term sustainability, commercial opportunities and the risk of market saturation. Fan research is explicitly secondary to commercial and durability considerations. Agencies were also asked to identify likely supporters and opponents and to draw conclusions about player welfare, the sporting quality and the international calendar.

The move comes amid a politically sensitive period for FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who faces fierce opposition over his proposal to create a new commercial body, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would sell a minority stake in commercial rights to private investors. That proposal has been resisted by UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation, and prompted the resignation of senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro.

Observers note the study’s deadline of 11 September falls only eight days before the 211 FIFA member associations are due to vote on the creation of the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise, a timing that many see as more than coincidental. Reports also say national associations were not informed about the tender before it was published, stirring fresh questions about governance and transparency.

Infantino said in July that further expansion would be discussed by the relevant committees after this World Cup, and there has long been speculation that he favours the change — a view said to be strongly backed by CONMEBOL. If FIFA confirms a move to 64 teams, the new format would supplant the 48-team layout that debuted in 2026 after a long period of 32-team tournaments between 1998 and 2022.

Any expansion would place added pressure on the 2030 hosts — Morocco, Portugal and Spain — with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay scheduled to host three commemorative matches for the tournament’s centenary. Expanding to 64 teams would likely require each South American host to stage at least one entire group, raising significant logistical and feasibility questions. UEFA and CONCACAF have openly opposed further enlargement; Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa warned it could create "chaos," and CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani asked whether the change would be in the best interest of the game. UEFA has even threatened to boycott future competitions if FIFA pursues the plan.

Photo: FIFA X