CONMEBOL president revives proposal to expand 2030 World Cup to 64 teams

Published Jul 20, 08:30 PM UTC

Following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez has revived his proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64 teams. Domínguez argues that the expansion would be a fitting celebration of the tournament's centenary, which began in Uruguay in 1930, and would allow South America to host more matches during the 2030 edition, which is scheduled to be held in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The proposal was first submitted to FIFA in April 2025 but has not received a definitive response. The plan is likely to face significant opposition, as the previous expansion to 48 teams already drew criticism for potentially diluting the quality of play and overloading player schedules. Critics fear that moving to 64 teams could further erode the prestige and rarity of the World Cup, widening the divide between commercial interests and football purists.

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