A crowd watches a stadium lit up with fireworks and a Saudi Arabian flag waving, with a modern cityscape in the background and text in Arabic and English announcing Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. — The 2034 edition could have 64 teams | La Derecha Diario

Camara — The 2034 edition could have 64 teams | La Derecha Diario

Saudi Arabia is in favor of having 64 teams for the 2034 World Cup

The Arab government supported the idea proposed by CONMEBOL and could be decisive in FIFA's final decision

20/04/2025 14:45:00h

Editorial Team

The expansion from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 World Cup could have marked a turning point in the tournament's history. This measure opened the door to the proposal presented by CONMEBOL, which seeks to have a tournament with 64 teams in 2030, in commemoration of the hundredth anniversary of the first edition. Although several federations expressed opposition, a nation with growing influence in international soccer showed support.

The proposal, driven by Alejandro Domínguez, president of the South American entity, reached FIFA for evaluation. However, the immediate rejection by various confederations seemed to bury it. At least, until Saudi Arabia expressed its support, which could influence the final decision of the entity presided over by Gianni Infantino, who has not yet taken a stance on the matter.

Domínguez confirmed the proposal at the last CONMEBOL Congress | La Derecha Diario

"We are prepared, or we will be. If FIFA makes this decision and believes it is good for everyone, we will be more than happy to respect it," stated the Saudi Minister of Sports, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, leaving the door open for his country to continue with CONMEBOL's vision or even realize it if given the green light for 2030.

Two smiling men in traditional Arab attire pose together outdoors.

The Saudi Minister of Sports would agree with the expansion if FIFA proposes it | La Derecha Diario

Curiously, just a few weeks ago, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had expressed its opposition to a World Cup with 64 teams, calling the idea unfeasible. "If the matter remains open to changes, not only will the door be opened to expand the tournament to 64 teams, but someone could demand increasing the number to 132," expressed President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who may have to discuss with the Saudi Minister of Sports to align positions.

The origin of the proposal

Ignacio Alonso, president of the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF), presented the idea in March during a virtual FIFA Council meeting. Reportedly, the initiative surprised several participants but was well received. Meanwhile, the newspaper The New York Times reported that FIFA confirmed that "the idea was accepted, as FIFA has the duty to analyze any proposal from one of its Council members."

The AUF president was the one who created the proposal | La Derecha Diario

If approved, the expansion would allow "Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to host at least one full group each," thus strengthening their role within a tournament that will also have venues in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Additionally, it would represent a new milestone: the first World Cup in history held across three continents and in six different countries.

➡️ Argentina