By Victor Kanayo
There are indications that FIFA is planning to expand World Cup participation to 64 teams.
The 2026 Mundial, set to be hosted across three countries, is already scheduled to expand to 48 teams from the current 32.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico will co-host next year’s tournament.
Following that, the 2030 edition will be hosted by three nations across two continents, Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.
A report by The New York Times on Thursday has now revealed that FIFA is likely to introduce a 64-team format.
According to the US-based publication, “Gianni Infantino would certainly be ‘seduced’ by the possible financial benefits of such an enlargement.”
It was gathered that the football governing body will review a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams to mark the tournament’s 100th anniversary.
The special edition of the World Cup will still feature Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, where the inaugural tournament was held as hosts for three matches.