FIFA appears to be a house divided over the prospect of further World Cup expansion, with President Gianni Infantino’s willingness to discuss a 64-team format standing in stark contrast to the firm opposition within his own council. A recent meeting with South American proponents of the idea has only served to highlight this internal rift.
Infantino hosted a delegation from Conmebol in New York for the first formal talks on a 64-team tournament for 2030. This fulfilled FIFA’s official duty to listen to its stakeholders. The South American confederation sees the expansion as a massive opportunity to increase its global footprint, with the potential for all its members to qualify.
But behind this veneer of discussion lies a deep-seated institutional resistance. Sources within FIFA have confirmed that the proposal has virtually no support within the FIFA Council, the powerful body that must approve any such change. The consensus among council members is that a 64-team format would be a disaster for the tournament’s quality and brand.
This internal opposition has powerful public champions. Key FIFA vice-presidents, including UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin and Concacaf boss Victor Montagliani, have openly criticized the proposal. Their public stance reinforces the council’s position and makes it politically untenable for Infantino to push the matter further.
The result is a stalemate. While the president may be open to dialogue, the council holds the power of the vote. As things stand, their verdict is a clear “no” to a 64-team World Cup, leaving the ambitious proposal dead in the water.
A House Divided: FIFA President and Council at Odds Over World Cup Expansion
