The next World Cup could feature 64 teams after CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez confirmed plans are under way to expand the tournament for the second successive edition.
Last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed the proposed increase would be examined. Earlier this month, Infantino suggested FIFA would assess plans for a 64-team World Cup, saying: "It's important to organise it for the whole world... Earlier this month, Infantino suggested FIFA would assess plans for a 64-team World Cup, saying: "It's important to organise it for the whole world...if you don't give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they'll lack the incentive to keep improving."
The 48-team tournament was the brainchild of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, with world football's governing body approving the expansion of the 2026 competition back in 2017, one year after he took office. Infantino has called the first 48-team World Cup a “huge success”, with debutants including Cape Verde holding their own against the established order. This summer’s tournament has been forecast to generate more than $10billion (£7.4bn) in revenue, touching every corner of the globe with its appeal.
Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz said after the group stages that the increase in teams devalued the qualification process and turned the tournament into something “vulgar and ordinary”.
Reporting: FourFourTwo, The Athletic, talkSPORT.