Infantino opens door to 64-team World Cup
Retold by Oddsrama · 12 July 2026
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has signalled that a 64-team World Cup is firmly on the agenda, though not before serious discussion follows the 2026 tournament. Speaking to Swiss media, Infantino emphasized the need for global inclusion in football's biggest competition, arguing that smaller nations deserve a genuine shot at World Cup qualification to maintain their competitive drive. The push reflects a philosophy that football should belong to everyone, not just the traditional powerhouses of Europe and South America.
The current 48-team format, set to debut in 2026, has already exceeded expectations. Infantino pointed to the knockout qualification of nine out of ten African teams as proof the expanded model works. Compare that to the previous 32-team setup, which saw only five African nations make it through — a stark difference that validates the expansion strategy. If FIFA proceeds to 64 teams, nearly a third of all affiliated nations would have a realistic path to qualification, a seismic shift in how the tournament distributes opportunity.
Not everyone is on board. European and Asian football bodies have pushed back hard, with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin calling it a "bad idea" and AFC leadership warning of "chaos." Even Concacaf's boss questioned whether the model "feels right." The logistics are genuinely thorny — hosting a 128-game tournament requires infrastructure that few nations can handle. Saudi Arabia's scheduled 2034 hosting slot raises particular questions about feasibility. However, the financial upside is undeniable: a larger World Cup means bigger revenue pools to distribute among member associations, making it a politically popular move for Infantino.
For betting markets, expansion could reshape qualification dynamics and odds over the coming years. Smaller nations with improved competitive access might generate unexpected value plays in qualifying campaigns. The 2030 and 2034 tournaments remain the test cases, but Infantino's openness suggests the football world is inching toward a very different World Cup landscape.
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