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Conmebol Proposes 64-Team FIFA World Cup for 2030 Centennial Edition
South American football governing body Conmebol has formally proposed an expansion of the 2030 FIFA World Cup to include 64 nations. Alejandro Domínguez, president of Conmebol, presented the proposal on Thursday, aiming to significantly enlarge the tournament for its centennial edition.
Fifa Acknowledges Expansion Proposal
World football governing body, FIFA, has confirmed awareness of the proposal. The idea of expanding the 2030 World Cup was initially raised in March by a Uruguayan delegate during an online meeting of FIFA’s ruling council.
Centennial Celebration Drives Proposal
“We are convinced that the centennial celebration will be exceptional, as 100 years occurs only once,” Domínguez stated in his opening address at Conmebol’s 80th Ordinary Congress, highlighting the unique significance of the anniversary for the proposed expansion.
Current Expansion Plans and Criticisms
The 2030 World Cup is already slated to be a sprawling event, distributed across six host countries on three continents. The preceding 2026 World Cup, hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, is set to be the inaugural tournament featuring an expanded 48-team format.
The 48-team expansion for 2026 has faced criticism, with concerns raised that it diminishes the value of the group stage. Under the new format, a significant number of third-place teams will advance to the knockout rounds, unlike the traditional 32-team structure where only the top two teams from each group progressed.
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Historical Significance and Anniversary Hosting
Uruguay, the original host of the 1930 World Cup, is scheduled to host one match in the 2030 tournament. Paraguay, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are also designated as co-hosts for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
“Therefore, we are suggesting, for the first time, hosting this anniversary with 64 teams, across three continents concurrently,” Domínguez elaborated, emphasizing the historical and geographical scale of the proposition.
Concerns over Quality and Qualification
Critics of the 64-team proposal argue that such an expansion could dilute the overall quality of play and weaken the importance of the qualification process in many confederations. Notably, a 64-team tournament could virtually assure all 10 Conmebol member nations a place in the expanded World Cup. Venezuela remains the only Conmebol nation never to have qualified for a World Cup tournament.
“This will enable all nations to have the chance to partake in the global experience, ensuring no one on the planet is excluded from the celebration,” Domínguez added, framing the expansion as more inclusive.
Potential Tournament Size and UEFA Opposition
If FIFA approves the 64-team format, the World Cup would encompass 128 matches, doubling the 64 games played in tournaments from 1998 to 2022. This significant increase in matches raises logistical and scheduling considerations.
However, Aleksander Čeferin, president of UEFA, has voiced opposition to a 64-team World Cup, labeling it “a poor concept,” indicating potential resistance within European football’s governing body.