UEFA President, Aleksander Čeferin has spoken out against the potential expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 64 teams, calling it a “bad idea” that could dilute the quality of the tournament.
Čeferin, who has been a vocal critic of FIFA’s recent decisions regarding the competition’s format, warned that increasing the number of teams further would undermine the prestige of football’s biggest event.
Speaking at a press conference in Nyon, Switzerland, Čeferin stated, “Expanding to 48 teams was already a significant change. Adding more teams would stretch the tournament to its limits, lower the quality of matches, and disrupt the balance of international football.”
FIFA’s 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to feature 48 teams for the first time, up from the previous 32-team format.
While FIFA President Gianni Infantino has championed expansion as a way to give more countries an opportunity to participate, Čeferin and other critics argue that further increases could lead to logistical challenges and lower competition standards.
“The World Cup should remain the pinnacle of football, where the best teams compete at the highest level. If we keep expanding, we risk turning it into an event where too many uncompetitive teams participate, which won’t benefit the sport,” Čeferin added.
The idea of a 64-team World Cup has not been formally proposed by FIFA, but reports suggest that some stakeholders are pushing for another expansion in future editions.
Supporters argue that it would provide more opportunities for smaller nations and grow the global appeal of football, while opponents fear it could lead to an oversaturated and less prestigious tournament.
As debates continue within FIFA and the broader football community, Čeferin remains firm in his stance, insisting that quality must take precedence over quantity. Whether FIFA will consider a further expansion in the coming years remains to be seen.
