Key Takeaways:
- UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin strongly criticised the idea of expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams
- The proposal originated from a Uruguayan delegate during a recent FIFA Council meeting
- Čeferin claims the expansion would negatively impact European qualification processes and the quality of the tournament
Opposition to World Cup Expansion
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has expressed firm opposition to a proposal that could see the 2030 FIFA World Cup feature 64 teams instead of the already expanded 48. The idea was introduced during a recent FIFA Council meeting by a delegate from Uruguay, and FIFA has acknowledged that it is reviewing the suggestion.
Speaking during a press conference following the UEFA Congress in Belgrade, Čeferin remarked: “This proposal that was made is even more surprising to me than to you. I think it’s a bad idea.” He argued that such an expansion would be detrimental not only to the integrity of the tournament itself but also to the structure of European qualifying rounds.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said a push to expand the men's 2030 FIFA World Cup is "a bad idea."
Adding 16 more teams to the 48-team lineup that will debut next year in North America appears to have support from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who typically backs… pic.twitter.com/fjHmRCC1lJ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 3, 2025
Complex 2030 Hosting Plan Already in Place
The 2030 tournament is already set to be unprecedented in structure. To commemorate the centenary of the first World Cup, held in Uruguay in 1930, one match each will be played in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. The majority of the competition, however, will take place across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
The current plan involves 48 teams, reflecting the already-approved expansion for the 2026 tournament. The suggestion to add an additional 16 teams has raised eyebrows, particularly within UEFA, which was not informed in advance of the proposal’s emergence.
Concerns for European Qualification
Čeferin warned that increasing the number of participating teams to 64 could destabilise the European qualifying framework. As he explained, such a change would likely require significant adaptation from UEFA and its member associations—one he does not view favourably.
“I think it’s not a good idea for the World Cup itself, and it’s not a good idea for our qualifiers. For that reason, I do not support the idea – I don’t know where it came from, but it’s strange that we knew nothing about this proposal before the FIFA council,” he added, as quoted by BTA.
Leadership Speculation Continues
During the same press conference, Čeferin declined to comment on rumours surrounding his future as UEFA President. Although he previously indicated at the 2024 Paris Congress that he would not seek a fourth term in 2027—even if eligibility rules were amended—speculation has since emerged suggesting he might reconsider.
When asked if he was contemplating another run, Čeferin offered only: “Let’s talk about the congress now. I’ve heard many things, you’ve heard many things, but now is not the time to talk about that.”