FIFA is weighing up the possibility of expanding the centenary edition of its World Cup tournament, the 2030 World Cup, to 64 teams. The idea was proposed by the President of the Uruguayan Football Association, Ignacio Alonso.

Uruguay will be one of six countries that will host the tournament. The other countries are Paraguay, Argentina, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

According to a provisional calendar, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina will each host one game before the 101 remaining games will be played in Europe and Africa.

Spain has proposed 11 venues in nine cities, while Portugal has proposed to use two venues. Morocco is planning to use venues in six cities.

If approved, a 64-team World Cup would include participation from more than a quarter of FIFA’s 211 member associations, further reshaping the global football tournament in its historic centenary edition.

However, expanding the 2030 World Cup further would also pose significant logistical challenges for the six host nations. With the tournament set to take place across three continents, concerns have been raised over the environmental impact and travel demands of an expanded format.

Alonso introduced the idea during the miscellaneous agenda segment of the recent FIFA meeting. According to a FIFA spokesperson, “FIFA has a duty to analyse any proposal from one of its council members.”

The World Cup is already set to expand in 2026 from 32 to 48 teams, with the tournament in Mexico, Canada, and the United States featuring 104 matches—an increase from the current 64. FIFA president Infantino has made structural changes to the competition a hallmark of his tenure, though a previous proposal to hold the World Cup every two years was abandoned following widespread opposition.