The ultimate prize for South American football—a near-100% qualification rate for the World Cup—was the driving force behind a bid for a 64-team tournament, but the proposal now has a 0% chance of success. FIFA has effectively killed the idea after a meeting in New York, citing overwhelming internal opposition to the plan.
The ambitious proposal was pitched to FIFA President Gianni Infantino by a delegation of Conmebol leaders. The expansion to 64 teams would create enough new spots to accommodate all ten of the confederation’s member nations, a dream scenario for the continent. They argued it would make the 2030 centenary tournament a truly historic event.
However, the dream has collided with a wall of skepticism at FIFA. An insider has stated that the proposal would be resoundingly defeated in the FIFA Council. The prevailing sentiment is that such a move would be reckless, damaging the quality of the competition and putting the World Cup’s successful business model at risk.
This stance is backed by some of the most powerful voices in world football. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has been a vocal opponent, calling the idea “bad” and detrimental to the sport. His view is shared by Concacaf President Victor Montagliani, creating a united front of resistance from other major footballing regions.
With the World Cup already growing to 48 teams in 2026, the global football community appears to have reached its limit for expansion. Conmebol’s bold bid for more has been rejected, and the focus will remain on implementing the already-approved changes.