CONMEBOL proposes 2030 World Cup with 64 teams to Infantino: More teams?

Infantino and CONMEBOL Discuss Expansion of the 2030 World Cup to 64 Teams

The FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, met on Tuesday in New York with the president of CONMEBOL, Alejandro Domínguez, and leaders of three South American football federations. The main objective of the meeting was to discuss the possible expansion of the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams. The CONMEBOL expansion proposal, initially presented in March by a Uruguayan delegate during an online meeting, was the central topic of discussion. In Tuesday’s meeting, Domínguez met with Infantino and the presidents of the federations of Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, marking the first time that CONMEBOL leaders presented the concept directly to Infantino.

We believe in a historic 2030 World Cup! Thank you, President Gianni Infantino, for receiving us and sharing this path towards the centenary of the greatest football celebration. We want to call for unity, creativity and believe in greatness. Because when football belongs to everyone, the celebration is global.

Alejandro Domínguez

The 2026 World Cup already has an increase from 32 to 48 teams planned. The 2030 edition is already shaping up to be the most extensive, with six host nations spread across three continents. Uruguay, the original host of the World Cup in 1930, plans to host a match. Paraguay, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are also co-hosts.

I had the honor of being part of the FIFA summit, organized by Gianni Infantino, with the aim of starting to organize what will be the 2030 World Cup. It was a true pleasure to have represented our country in this important meeting. We are family and we did our part to request this meeting so that our dream can come true.

Claudio Chiqui Tapia

Cumbre FIFA para organizar el Mundial 2030. El Presidente de la CONMEBOL, Alejandro Domínguez, junto a los presidentes de las federaciones de Argentina, Paraguay y Uruguay, se reunieron con Gianni Infantino. Se discutió la expansión a 64 equipos. pic.twitter.com/8l3N16Gf9T

— VarskySports (@VarskySports) June 4, 2024

An expansion to 64 teams would likely guarantee a place in the tournament for the 10 CONMEBOL member nations. Venezuela is the only one that has never qualified for a World Cup. The President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, and the President of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi, participated in the meeting at FIFA’s offices in Trump Tower. FIFA’s Secretary General, Mattias Grafström, was also present.

As we approach the date, we must reiterate that this cannot be just another event, it cannot be just another World Cup. We believe this is a once-in-a-century opportunity for the group stage matches to be played in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.

Alejandro Domínguez

If FIFA approves the measure, a 128-match tournament would be created, double the 64 matches played between 1998 and 2022.