A 64-team World Cup in 2030 should not be considered, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has said, joining several other confederations in opposing a plan put forward by CONMEBOL.
CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez last week officially proposed a 64-team World Cup for the 2030 tournament, up from the 48 teams scheduled for next year’s edition, with the tournament likely to be hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
The opening matches will be played in Uruguay, which hosted the first World Cup in 1930, where it will face Argentina and Paraguay.
“I don’t believe expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams is the right move for the tournament itself and the wider football ecosystem, from national teams to club competitions, leagues and players,” Montagliani told ESPN, opening a new tab.
The CONMEBOL plan has a long way to go before it is approved, as the 2026 edition has already expanded from the 2022 tournament, which featured 32 countries, to 48 teams.
The 2026 tournament will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
“We haven’t even started the new 48-team World Cup yet, so personally, I don’t think expanding to 64 teams should be on the table,” Montagliani said.
His comments echoed complaints from UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin, who opposed the idea this month, while Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa told AFP he was opening a new tab where he fears the spread would lead to chaos.
