FIFA president Gianni Infantino met on Tuesday in New York with CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez and leaders of three South American soccer federations to debate the enlargement of the boys’s 2030 World Cup to 64 groups.
CONMEBOL’s proposal for enlargement was first launched in March by a delegate from Uruguay throughout a web-based assembly of the ruling council of world soccer’s governing physique.
On Tuesday, nonetheless, Dominguez met with Infantino and the federation presidents of Argentina and Uruguay, in addition to the President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, and of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi to debate the proposal additional, marking the primary time the CONMEBOL leaders introduced the idea on to Infantino.
“We consider in a historic 2030 World Cup!” Domínguez mentioned in a social media submit after the assembly. “Thanks, President Gianni Infantino, for welcoming us and sharing this journey towards the centennial of soccer’s best celebration. We need to name for unity, creativity, and believing large. As a result of when soccer is shared by everybody, the celebration is really world.”
For the primary time because the 1998 version, the World Cup is ready to increase from a 32-team format to 48 groups in 2026.
The 2030 World Cup is already set to be probably the most sprawling version with six host nations unfold throughout three continents.
Uruguay was the unique World Cup host in 1930 and is scheduled to stage one sport. Paraguay, Argentina, Spain, Portugal and Morocco are additionally co-hosts.
“I had the respect of being a part of the FIFA summit, organized by Gianni Infantino, with the objective of beginning to set up what would be the 2030 World Cup. It was really a pleasure to have represented our nation at this necessary assembly,” Argentina federation president Claudio Chiqui Tapia mentioned in a social media submit. “We’re household and we now have finished our half to request this assembly so our dream can develop into actuality.”
¡Creemos en un Mundial 2030 histórico! Gracias Presidente Gianni Infantino por recibirnos y compartir este camino hacia el Centenario de la mayor fiesta del fútbol.
Queremos hacer un llamado a la unidad, a la creatividad y a Creer en Grande. Porque cuando el fútbol se vive entre… pic.twitter.com/XANKxNLf5J
— Alejandro Domínguez (@agdws) September 24, 2025
Increasing to 64 groups doubtless would assure all 10 CONMEBOL member international locations a spot in an even bigger event. Venezuela is the one one which has by no means certified for a World Cup.
The President of Argentina Javier Milei was not in attendance on the assembly however Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña and Uruguay’s President Yamandú Orsi participated within the assembly at FIFA’s Trump Tower workplaces.
FIFA normal secretary Mattias Grafström was additionally in attendance.
“As we get nearer to the date, we should reiterate that this can’t be simply one other occasion, it can’t be simply one other World Cup. We consider this can be a once-in-a-century alternative to have the group stage matches performed in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay,” Domínguez mentioned.
If FIFA approves the transfer, it might create a event of 128 matches, double the variety of the 64-game format that was performed from 1998 by way of 2022. Earlier this yr, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin referred to as a 64-team World Cup “a foul concept.“
Critics of the 64-team proposal have argued it can weaken the standard of play and devalue the qualifying program in most continents.
Data from The Related Press was used on this report.
