FIFA is accelerating its plan to expand the number of teams participating in the World Cup. According to a report by the British newspaper The Guardian on July 31, FIFA has launched a study to evaluate the feasibility and economic impact of increasing the number of participating teams from the current 48 to 64 starting from the 2030 World Cup. The relevant report is expected to be submitted as early as September, and the final decision may be made this year.
According to a research briefing obtained by The Guardian, FIFA has invited a research institution to analyze the impact of the 64-team format on tournament revenue, the football ecosystem, player benefits, and the international competition schedule. The winning agency will be announced on August 14th, and must complete the evaluation by September 11th. The research period is only about 4 weeks.
The report indicates that FIFA’s promotion of this plan has raised questions about its governance methods. UEFA has previously openly opposed further expansion, and stated that if FIFA continues to implement certain reform proposals, it may boycott future competitions. It is also reported that FIFA did not notify its member associations in advance before issuing the bidding announcement.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter stated this month that the issue of expanding the team size will be discussed with relevant committees after this World Cup. One of the main forces pushing for an expansion comes from the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), whose president Alejandro Domínguez has once again proposed this idea.
The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay will also host matches related to the centenary celebration. If the number of teams is expanded to 64, these South American countries may have more opportunities to host events.
The Guardian states that the 48-team format was introduced for the first time this year, as the World Cup has always consisted of 32 teams. If the 64-team format is adopted in 2030, the 48-team model may only be used for one season. Many parties, including UEFA, have expressed concerns, arguing that expanding the number of teams could affect the quality of the events and the international schedule arrangements.
