2030 World Cup: CONMEBOL proposes expanded 64-team tournament

Alejandro Domínguez, president of CONMEBOL, proposed expanding the men's 2030 World Cup. He wants to increase the number of teams from 32 to 64.

FIFA is aware of this proposal. It was first introduced in March by a Uruguayan delegate during an online meeting.

Domínguez stated, "We are convinced that the centennial celebration will be unique." He spoke at CONMEBOL's 80th Ordinary Congress.

The 2030 World Cup will be the largest ever. It will have six host nations across three continents.

Uruguay hosted the first World Cup in 1930 and will host one game. Paraguay, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are also co-hosts.

Domínguez added that this would be the first time for a 64-team tournament on three continents simultaneously.

Expanding to 64 teams would likely ensure all 10 CONMEBOL countries can participate. Venezuela is the only country that has never qualified for a World Cup.

"This will allow all countries to experience the world event," said Domínguez. He emphasized that no one should miss out on this celebration.

If FIFA approves this plan, there would be 128 matches in total. This is double the number played in previous tournaments from 1998 to 2022.

However, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin criticized the idea of a 64-team World Cup as "a bad idea."

Critics argue that it could weaken play quality and devalue qualifying programs worldwide.