The dust may have settled on the pitches of the FIFA World Cup 2026, but the political arena within football's governing body, FIFA, remains fiercely contested. At the heart of the current storm is President Gianni Infantino, whose leadership is under intense scrutiny following a recently abandoned commercialisation plan and a reported willingness to back a significant expansion of the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams.
The Political Chessboard at FIFA
Gianni Infantino's position as FIFA President has been significantly challenged in recent weeks. A controversial plan to sell a 20 per cent stake in a new commercial subsidiary, the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would have managed the commercial rights for FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, was met with widespread condemnation and ultimately cancelled. This proposal, intended to raise private investment, was reportedly 'killed by a revolt of the national soccer confederations'.
The backlash was swift and severe. UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, vehemently opposed the plan, labelling it a 'line that football's governing institutions should never cross'. They even threatened to boycott future World Cup iterations and publicly declared a loss of confidence in Infantino's leadership. CONCACAF (North, Central American and Caribbean Football Confederation) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also joined the chorus of criticism, with a joint letter asserting that football 'belongs to no individual'.
The 64-Team Gambit for 2030
Amidst this political turmoil, Infantino is reportedly poised to support a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams. This move, initially put forward by the South American governing body CONMEBOL in April 2025, would see the tournament grow from the 48-team format introduced for the 2026 edition. The Times reported on August 11, 2026, that Infantino has 'indicated' his support to South American football leaders, a strategic move understood to be aimed at securing their backing as he navigates calls for his resignation.
CONMEBOL's motivation for proposing the expansion is clear: to host more than the three commemorative games FIFA awarded it for the 2030 tournament. The 2030 World Cup is set to be primarily hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay each hosting one match to mark the centenary of the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930. Infantino himself had previously stated in July 2026 that FIFA would study the feasibility of a 64-team men's World Cup, calling the current 48-team format 'a huge success' and advocating for the event to be 'for the whole world'. He cited the strong performance of African teams in the expanded 2026 tournament as evidence that more nations deserve a chance.
A Divided Host Front
The political divisions within FIFA extend even to the co-hosts of the recently concluded 2026 World Cup. The football federations of the United States and Canada have publicly backed the critical statement from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC, calling for 'meaningful change that strengthens FIFA's governance, transparency and accountability'. This stance puts them at odds with the third co-host, Mexico, which has publicly offered its support to President Infantino. This split among the host nations highlights the deep-seated disagreements over FIFA's direction and leadership.
What it means
The potential expansion to 64 teams for the 2030 World Cup carries significant implications for the tournament's structure, logistics, and competitive balance. While Infantino champions increased inclusivity and global participation, a larger tournament would undoubtedly present enormous logistical challenges for host nations, requiring even more stadiums and infrastructure. The 2026 World Cup, spread across three countries (USA, Canada, Mexico) with 48 teams, was already the largest edition in history. Further expansion could stretch resources and potentially dilute the quality of the group stages, a concern often raised by critics of previous expansions.
More broadly, this saga underscores a critical power struggle within international football. Infantino's reported willingness to support the 64-team expansion appears to be a strategic manoeuvre to consolidate power and secure votes ahead of the next FIFA presidential election, scheduled for March. The opposition from major confederations like UEFA and CONCACAF suggests a deep mistrust in his leadership and a desire for greater accountability and transparency within FIFA's decision-making processes. The debate over the World Cup's format is therefore intertwined with the future of FIFA's governance and its relationship with member associations.
What's next
The immediate future will likely see continued political manoeuvring ahead of the FIFA presidential election. The deadline for presidential candidate proposals is November 18, and Infantino will be keen to shore up support from various confederations. The proposal for a 64-team World Cup in 2030 will require approval from the FIFA Council, and discussions with stakeholders are ongoing. The divisions among the 2026 co-hosts could also foreshadow further debates on how future tournaments are organised and governed. The outcome of these political battles will undoubtedly shape the landscape of international football for years to come, impacting not only the World Cup but also FIFA's broader role in the sport.
Kickoff XI is an independent publication and is not affiliated with FIFA.
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