Gianni Infantino said the FIFA council will study a 64‑team World Cup after the 2026 tournament. He said the event must be "for the whole world" and that the success of the expanded 48‑team format shows a larger field could work.

The 48‑team edition, approved in 2017, was a "huge success" and saw nine of ten African teams reach the knockouts, compared with only five African teams at the last tournament.

Opposition comes from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa and Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, all arguing that further expansion would bring chaos and harm the football ecosystem. Andrew Giuliani of the White House World Cup task force said the United States could host a 2038 tournament and manage a 64‑team format.

The proposal would allow almost a third of the 211 FIFA‑affiliated countries to qualify, add 128 games, and raise revenue for member associations. It also raises logistical questions for the 2030 edition, which will be staged across six countries. The decision remains with the FIFA council and is unlikely to materialise imminently.