Zurich: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that world football's governing body will deliberate on the potential expansion of the men's World Cup to 64 teams following the conclusion of the 2026 tournament, asserting that every country deserves the chance to aspire to compete at the sport's premier event, according to ESPN.

The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, already marks a major structural shift as the first edition to include 48 teams, an increase from the long-standing 32-team setup.

Infantino stated that FIFA intends to initiate conversations regarding a subsequent expansion to 64 nations once the current tournament concludes.

"This is certainly an issue that will be looked at and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup," FIFA's president told Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport when questioned about the prospect of a 64-team competition, as quoted by ESPN.

"When you organise a World Cup, it's important that you organise it for the whole world. It's not just Europe and South America, but the entire world, effectively. Every nation should be able to dream of taking part in the World Cup," the FIFA chief added.

According to ESPN, the concept of a 64-team tournament was initially raised in March 2025, when the South American football confederation, CONMEBOL, suggested broadening the 2030 tournament to mark the competition's centenary year.

"We can see that the quality of the teams is extremely high, and it's getting higher and higher everywhere in the world. If you don't give smaller countries the chance to participate in the World Cup, they also lose the incentive to keep improving," Infantino remarked.

However, the proposal has drawn criticism within the sport. In April 2025, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani told ESPN, "I don't believe expanding the men's World Cup to 64 teams is the right move for the tournament itself and the broader football ecosystem, from national teams to club competitions, leagues and players."

Should the expansion be ratified, a 64-team World Cup would comprise 128 matches, doubling the schedule of the 32-team system utilised between 1998 and 2022. The ongoing 2026 tournament features 104 matches.

The debate comes as the semi-final line-up for the current World Cup has been finalised. England and Argentina progressed through demanding quarter-final fixtures to join France and Spain in the final four.

The victor of the semi-final between France and Spain will progress to meet either England or Argentina in the final, which is scheduled to commence at 12:30 a.m. IST on 20 July. The two defeated semi-finalists will meet in the third-place play-off.

ANI