CONMEBOL submits proposal to FIFA for 2030 World Cup with 64 teams

CONMEBOL officials met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in New York to present an ambitious plan. The proposal aims to expand the 2030 World Cup to include 64 participating teams. This initiative comes in the context of celebrating the centenary of the first tournament, held in 1930 in Uruguay.

The meeting took place on Tuesday, coinciding with the UN General Assembly. The presidents of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi, and Paraguay, Santiago Peña, joined CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez. They advocate for the increase to allow more matches in South America, beyond the three inaugural games already planned.

• The expansion would be exclusive to 2030, returning to 48 teams in future editions.
• South American countries like Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay could host entire groups.
• FIFA has 211 affiliated associations, and 64 teams would represent about 30% of them.
• The current 48-team format debuts in 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Infantino described the meeting as productive in a social media post. Domínguez emphasized unity and creativity in global football. The idea gained traction after initial discussions in March but still awaits FIFA council review.

All good things come in threes 👀 pic.twitter.com/GeCv2kHGdk

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) September 23, 2025

New York meeting marks progress in South American advocacy

The South American delegation arrived at FIFA’s office prepared to defend the expansion’s feasibility. Orsi and Peña, present for the UN agenda, reinforced the political push for greater regional inclusion. Domínguez reiterated that the centenary deserves a unique edition, spread across three continents.

The plan proposes that each South American host country manage an entire group, with at least six matches per nation. This would increase the number of games from three to dozens, distributed among Estadio Centenario in Uruguay, Monumental in Buenos Aires, and Defensores del Chaco in Asunción. Experts note that such a structure would require logistical adjustments but would celebrate the 1930 legacy in an unprecedented way.

Infantino listened to the arguments without committing to an immediate decision. He mentioned the “mutual love for football” as a basis for future talks. CONMEBOL sees the proposal as a chance to involve all 10 affiliated nations, including Venezuela, which has never qualified for a World Cup.

Proposal gains momentum after March suggestion

The 64-team idea emerged spontaneously during a virtual FIFA council meeting in March. Uruguayan Football Federation President Ignacio Alonso raised the topic, surprising participants. Since then, CONMEBOL refined the document, incorporating governmental support to strengthen the lobbying effort.

In April, during CONMEBOL’s 80th Congress in Luque, Paraguay, Domínguez formally announced the intention. He argued that the 2030 tournament, hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco with South American openers, needs scale to reflect the sport’s globalization. The entity sent the official text to FIFA shortly after, awaiting technical analysis.

Critics, like UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, question the game’s quality with more teams. Ceferin called the expansion a “bad idea” in January, citing risks to match intensity. CONMEBOL counters that a 128-game format, doubling the 64 from past editions, would bring unprecedented inclusion.

FIFA confirmed receipt and stated it must evaluate all council suggestions. The next council meeting in October may include the topic, setting deliberation timelines.

Multiple host venues shape unprecedented tournament logistics

Spain, Portugal, and Morocco serve as primary hosts, with advanced infrastructure for major events. Spain plans to use stadiums like Santiago Bernabéu and Camp Nou, renovated for the occasion. Portugal focuses on Lisbon and Porto, while Morocco prepares Casablanca and Rabat with accessibility investments.

In South America, the focus is on symbolic openers. Uruguay, the birthplace of the first World Cup, kicks off with a match at Centenario, with a 60,000-fan capacity. Argentina follows with a game at Monumental, iconic from 1978, and Paraguay concludes the openers at Defensores del Chaco. This initial distribution already demands transcontinental coordination, with charter flights and varying time zones.

• Spain offers 12 main stadiums, including Mestalla in Valencia.
• Portugal has nine arenas, like Estádio da Luz in Lisbon.
• Morocco invests in four new complexes, plus Ibn Battouta in Tangier.
• Uruguay prioritizes Centenario, with renovations completed by 2025.
• Argentina and Paraguay adapt existing venues to FIFA standards.

Expanding to 64 teams would increase the group stage to 16 groups of four, generating 48 initial matches. This would require more training fields and hotels, but FIFA estimates additional revenue from tickets and broadcasting rights.

Historical evolution of World Cup format expansions

The tournament began with 13 teams in 1930, growing to 16 in 1934 and holding steady until 1978. The shift came in 1982 in Spain with 24 teams, driven by African and Asian inclusion. In 1998, in France, it jumped to 32, a standard for two decades until 2022 in Qatar.

The 2026 edition marks the leap to 48 teams, with 12 groups of four and an expanded knockout stage. Approved in 2017, this change added 16 spots and raised matches to 104. CONMEBOL gained six direct qualifiers, up from four.

For 2030, the 64-team proposal would revive 2017 debates when 40 teams were considered. FIFA rejected it then due to logistics, but the centenary opens possibilities. Data shows 211 nations compete for spots today, with qualifiers generating billions in global viewership.

UEFA, with 55 members, resists due to diluted European slots, holding 16 in 48. Asia and Africa, with 8 and 9 respectively, moderately support, seeing gains in representation. CONMEBOL calculates 64 teams would double South American slots to 10, eliminating regional qualifiers.

Confederation reactions reveal global divisions

UEFA expressed formal reservations in recent statements. Ceferin reiterated concerns about overloaded calendars and technical quality. European representatives fear more teams could weaken key matches, citing past upsets in early stages.

The African Football Confederation sees opportunity for more slots. With five in 2026, leaders like Egypt’s Motasem El-Wardany advocate for continental balance. Asia, with four slots, partially aligns, prioritizing emerging market development.

In Oceania, the proposal excites, as New Zealand’s lone slot in past Cups would be guaranteed in a larger pool. Concacaf, hosting 2026, monitors without an official stance, focused on its tri-nation logistics.

• UEFA: 16 slots in 48 teams; resists dilution for 2030.
• Africa: 9 slots; supports inclusion for underdeveloped nations.
• Asia: 8 slots; balances with focus on Asian revenues.
• Concacaf: 6 slots plus hosting; neutral but interested in precedents.
• Oceania: 1 slot; sees chance for fixed participation.

Domínguez posted about the meeting, calling for “always believing.” Infantino echoed optimism, but internal sources indicate heated council debates. CONMEBOL plans further lobbying in October.

Logistical and economic details of potential expansion

A 64-team World Cup would generate 128 matches, up from 104 in 2026. This implies more tournament days, possibly 40, with an extended group stage. FIFA projects $1 billion in extra infrastructure costs but $7 billion in broadcasting revenue.

Tickets for 2026 already exceed 4.5 million requests, per preliminary data. For 2030, expansion could double demand, boosting tourism in six nations. Spain expects 2 million visitors, while Morocco prepares 500,000 hotel beds.

In South America, Uruguay allocates $50 million for Centenario renovations. Argentina, despite economic challenges, commits to Monumental via public-private partnerships. Paraguay focuses on mobility, with expanded Asunción airports.

European and African hosts invest in sustainability, with solar stadiums and electric transport. FIFA enforces zero-carbon standards, aligned with global agendas. CONMEBOL argues more teams would attract local sponsors, like South American breweries and betting brands.

Expanded participation benefits emerging football nations

With 64 teams, smaller confederations would gain visibility. Venezuela, absent from 22 Cups, would join the South American pool. Nations like Bolivia and Peru, with sporadic qualifications, would secure direct spots, fostering youth academy investments.

Africa could see debuts from Cape Verde or Tanzania, raising the continental level. Asia would benefit India and Thailand, with billion-plus populations driving viewership. Oceania could feature Fiji or Papua New Guinea globally for the first time.

Qualifiers would change drastically. In CONMEBOL, the current 18 rounds would shift to invitations, freeing calendars for domestic leagues. UEFA, reluctant, suggests extra playoffs to mitigate qualifier revenue losses.

FIFA studies player impacts, with extended post-tournament breaks. Unions like Fifpro support inclusion but warn of fatigue in European elites. The proposal balances tradition and modernity, with the centenary as a catalyst.

Preparations advance in host venues with modern infrastructure focus

Portugal begins work on Estádio do Dragão in Porto, with a 50,000 capacity. Lisbon upgrades Alvalade, integrating advanced VAR technology. Spain, with 1982 and 2010 legacy, modernizes Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.

Morocco accelerates the Hassan II in Casablanca, designed for 70,000, with Moorish-inspired architecture. Tangier and Rabat add multifunctional arenas. In Africa, the focus is on connectivity, with 5G across all venues.

South America coordinates via CONMEBOL, with unified security protocols. Uruguay tests biometric systems for fans, while Argentina plans fan zones for 100,000. Paraguay invests in FIFA-compliant medical centers.

These preparations, budgeted in billions, employ thousands locally. Team expansion would accelerate hiring, with FIFA promising 200,000 temporary jobs. The tournament solidifies as a global economic driver.