FIFA president Gianni Infantino don drop hint say e dey think to increase World Cup to 64 teams. E talk say after this 2026 World Cup wey go feature 48 teams for first time, dem go examine and discuss di possibility for 2030 tournament.
Infantino yarn with Swiss media say, “When you organize World Cup, you must organize am for di whole world, not just Europe and South America. Every nation must get chance to dream of playing for World Cup.” E add say if small countries no get chance, dem go lose incentive to improve.
Di idea first come up for March 2025, when South American confederation CONMEBOL propose expansion for 2030 World Cup wey go mark centenary. Infantino meet with CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez and other leaders for New York to discuss am.
But some people no gree. Concacaf president Victor Montagliani tell ESPN say e no believe expanding to 64 teams be right move for tournament and football ecosystem. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin also call am “bad idea.”
If dem approve, 64-team World Cup go get 128 matches, double di 32-team format from 1998 to 2022. Dis year tournament go get 104 matches.
Infantino say, “We see say quality of teams dey high and dey increase everywhere. If you no give smaller countries chance, dem go lose incentive to improve.”
