Background

FIFA is exploring the possibility of expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, just four years after the tournament increased from 32 to 48 teams. Supporters of further expansion argue that it would give more nations the chance to qualify for the world’s biggest football tournament and make the World Cup more globally representative. Critics, however, fear that another expansion could lower the overall quality of the tournament, create an even more demanding schedule and reduce the significance of qualifying.