Several media outlets, including The Times and ESPN, have reported that FIFA working on expanding the World Cup to 64 teams as early as 2030.
According to the information, the world football governing body have started a consultation process on this plan.
A decision on the expansion will be made as early as August 14 – just under a month before FIFA’s member countries are to give their final decision on plans to sell World Cup shares.
ESPN, which has reviewed the document on the expansion process, reported: “FIFA want to appoint an independent authority to determine whether and how an expansion of the World Cup from 48 to 64 participating teams, starting from the 2030 edition, would affect the football ecosystem.”
This summer’s World Cup in North America was the first time the tournament was played with 48 teams. Between 1998 and 2022, 32 nations participated in the championship.
