If ten years of Gianni Infantino in the Fifa chair have taught us anything, it is that more is prized. More tournaments, more games and more money. The new‑look Club World Cup, an expanded World Cup and a half‑time show lasting 27 minutes and 22 seconds all point to a relentless push for growth.

The 2030 World Cup will celebrate the centenary of the first tournament in Uruguay, with Morocco, Portugal and Spain as hosts and opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. Conmebol asked for a one‑off 64‑team event, claiming it would let everybody join the party.

A 64‑team format would provide a cleaner group structure and give emerging nations a chance, as Cape Verde’s heroics show. Yet the competitive balance worries: nine of ten African teams advanced this summer, only two Asian and three CONCACAF teams did, raising doubts about quality.

Logistically, adding 24 matches means extra venue slots, training facilities and accommodation, plus climate‑related shifts to cooler months. Financially, a 64‑team World Cup could raise more TV revenue, with Fifa promising an extra $9 bn this year. Every association also gets 8m, underscoring the financial push behind the expansion debate.