The New York Times suggested that FIFA might be considering increasing the number of teams participating in the 2030 World Cup to 64, double that of 2022 and other editions, and 16 more than those that will play in 2026. This measure would be implemented only once for that edition, which will mark the centenary of the World Cup.
According to the American media, at yesterday's FIFA Council meeting, Ignacio Alonso, president of the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF), proposed this idea which was well received by the president of the international entity, Gianni Infantino, who had already considered the possibility of expanding the World Cup both in the number of participants and in its global reach.
A FIFA spokesperson, in response to an email seeking more details about the origin of the idea, stated that it was “spontaneously raised” at Wednesday's meeting. “The idea was acknowledged, as FIFA has the duty to analyze any proposal from one of the council members,” wrote the spokesperson.
