FIFA chief Gianni Infantino told Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport that a future World Cup could feature as many as 64 national teams. The comment comes as the 2026 tournament – co‑hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico – is already operating under an expanded 48‑team format, a change that sparked intense debate when first announced.

Historical context and current performance

The World Cup began in 1930 with just 13 participants, grew to 32 teams in 1998, and was enlarged to 48 for the first time in 2026. Critics initially warned that the larger field would dilute quality and hand an easy path to traditional powerhouses. Yet the 2026 edition has already disproved that narrative: nations such as Cape Verde and DR Congo have punched well above their weight, challenging the dominance of Europe and South America.

Why a 64‑team format matters

Infantino emphasized, “When you organise a World Cup, it should be for the whole world – not just Europe and South America.” Adding more slots would give emerging football nations a realistic chance to qualify, encouraging investment in grassroots programs and fostering a broader talent pool. Africa’s recent surge illustrates the point – nine out of ten African teams reached the knockout stage in 2026, compared with only five in the previous tournament.

Hydration breaks under scrutiny

The 2026 matches introduced a mandatory hydration break each half, totaling two per game. Some pundits dismissed the breaks as a revenue‑driven ploy, but Infantino defended them as a player‑safety measure. He recalled the “cooling breaks” used during the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States, where roughly 60% of matches required a pause due to high temperatures. “We don’t aim for perfection; we aim for fairness,” he said, noting that the breaks were applied only when conditions warranted.

Ticket pricing and secondary market dynamics

Addressing criticism over ticket costs, Infantino explained that independent experts set the pricing before the tournament began. The rapid resale of tickets at four‑to‑five times the face value on secondary platforms suggests that the original pricing was not overly inflated, but rather reflected market demand.

If a 64‑team World Cup becomes a reality, the sport’s commercial footprint and competitive balance could both expand dramatically, ushering in a new era of truly global football.