Victor Montagliani Says ‘No’ to 64-Team FIFA World Cup Expansion
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Hashim Sheikh
- . April 15, 2025
- . Update: April 15, 2025 3:44 pm
Victor Montagliani, the head of CONCACAF, does not support the idea of having 64 teams in the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The idea was suggested by CONMEBOL, South America’s football body. They want to increase the number of teams from 48 to 64. The 2030 World Cup will mostly take place in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The first few matches will happen in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.
Montagliani spoke to ESPN and said, “I don’t think increasing the World Cup to 64 teams is good for football. It could harm national teams, clubs, leagues, and players.”
He also said the football world should first try the 48-team format. That version will be used for the first time in 2026. The 2026 World Cup will be held in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
“We haven’t even started the 48-team World Cup yet,” Montagliani said. “So I don’t think we should talk about adding more teams right now.”
He is not the only one who disagrees with the plan. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and Asian Football Confederation chief Sheikh Salman also said they do not support the idea. They are worried it would make the tournament too complicated.
The proposal still needs approval, and it may take time before a final decision is made.
