The Fight Over The 2030 FIFA World Cup Has Already Started - Forbes

What the report says

Forbes reports that a dispute has begun over a proposal to enlarge the 2030 FIFA World Cup from 48 teams to 64 for a single edition marking the tournament’s 100th anniversary. The idea would come just after the 2026 World Cup expanded the field from 32 to 48 teams, and it would affect an already unusual 2030 event planned across Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

According to Forbes, critics from parts of the soccer ecosystem, including confederations, leagues and player representatives, say a 64-team tournament could add pressure to logistics, dilute competitive standards and worsen player workload concerns. The 2030 format is already complex: Spain, Portugal and Morocco are due to host most matches, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay are scheduled to stage opening games tied to the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930.

Supporters argue that a larger field would give more national teams a chance to qualify and would fit FIFA’s goal of broadening the sport’s global reach. Forbes cited South American confederation president Alejandro Dominguez as backing a 64-team centennial tournament involving Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. Opponents, including UEFA as described by Forbes, view qualification difficulty as part of the World Cup’s value.

The debate matters because a major format change could alter venue needs, costs, security plans and travel demands for the 2030 hosts. Forbes also frames the dispute within wider scrutiny of FIFA’s expansion under president Gianni Infantino, including the enlarged men’s World Cup and Club World Cup, and questions over how the 2030 and 2034 hosting paths were shaped.