South America Pushes for 64-Team World Cup in 2030 Centennial Edition

South American football’s governing body, Conmebol, has formally proposed expanding the men’s 2030 World Cup to include 64 teams. 

While the 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, Conmebol is advocating for further expansion in 2030 to mark the 100-year anniversary of the competition. Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez stated at the body’s congress on Thursday that this expansion would “allow all countries to have the opportunity to live the world experience and so nobody on the planet is left out of the party,” emphasizing the unique nature of the centennial celebration.  

The idea was initially raised “spontaneously” by Uruguayan Football Federation president Ignacio Alonso at a Fifa Council meeting in March. Fifa has since acknowledged its “duty to analyse any proposal from one of its Council members.” Fifa president Gianni Infantino also attended the Conmebol Congress, highlighting the “exceptional milestone” the 2030 tournament represents.

The decision to expand the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams was made in 2017 via a unanimous vote at a Fifa congress. Conmebol’s proposal could be discussed at Fifa’s 75th congress in Paraguay on May 15th.   

If accepted, the 2030 World Cup would feature 128 matches, a significant increase from the 64-game format used between 1998 and 2022.   

However, the expansion has drawn criticism, with some arguing it would devalue the qualification process. Environmental group Fossil Free Football also labeled the three-continent hosting plan a “climate nightmare.” Earlier this month, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin described the 64-team proposal as a “bad idea,” expressing surprise at the suggestion.