FIFA to Hire Independent Agency for 64-Team World Cup Feasibility Study

FIFA is set to contract an independent agency to analyze the implications of increasing the FIFA World Cup teams from 48 to 64 starting with the 2030 edition. The decision marks a significant step in assessing the feasibility and consequences of expanding football's premier tournament.

The appointed agency will have four weeks to conduct a comprehensive review once selected by August 14, with findings due by September 11. The evaluation will cover multiple aspects including:

• Effects on tournament structure and competition quality
• Impacts on qualification processes and player welfare
• Adjustments to the international football calendar
• Potential revenue growth from ticket sales, sponsorships, and broadcasting rights

FIFA aims to determine not only if a 64-team format can generate additional value but also whether such value is sustainable over time. This follows a proposal from CONMEBOL advocating for the expansion to commemorate the centenary of the World Cup.

While the 2026 World Cup expanded to 48 teams across the US, Canada, and Mexico, this new proposal seeks to add 16 more teams, increasing the tournament’s scope further. However, the idea has met resistance from some football confederations, including UEFA and the Asian Football Confederation, who have expressed concerns about the tournament’s growth and its implications.

The 2030 tournament will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay hosting individual matches to celebrate 100 years of the World Cup.