World Cup 64 teams: Why FIFA might be taking the party too far
The FIFA World Cup has always been an important event, showing the best of football worldwide. Currently, 32 teams play in the tournament. This format has been used since 1998. As the 2030 World Cup gets closer, there's a plan to expand to 64 teams.
The South American group CONMEBOL has suggested this change. They hope to celebrate the World Cup’s 100th anniversary with a bigger, more inclusive event. More teams would let more countries take part in the world’s biggest sports event. However, many people are wondering if this is a good idea.
The 2026 Cup is already about to have 48 teams. While inclusivity is good, is it going to encourage more young players' dreams? Or will it only hurt their performance in the long run? Delve into the reasons why doubling the number of World Cup teams might not be the best idea.
Weaker teams could lower the standard
The World Cup is about top-level football. Adding more teams might make it easier for less skilled nations to qualify. While adding more countries sounds good, many think it could lead to one-sided games.
Weaker teams may also find it hard to compete with stronger ones. This could lower the overall level of play. Over time, it could take away the excitement and drama that fans look for in the knockout rounds.
Tournament becomes too long and complicated
The World Cup is already long, with 32 teams playing 64 games. If 64 teams joined in 2030, there would be 128 games. Planning the games would be harder, with matches in more places. The setup could get confusing and lose the excitement of fans.
More risk of player burnout
Football players already deal with a lot. They play for their clubs, countries, and in big events. If the World Cup has 64 teams, players will have to play even more games. There won’t be enough time to rest, and it could hurt their performance in the field.
Top clubs in Europe already worry about tired players. They also have extra games and travel during breaks. More World Cup games could make things worse. It might even lead to serious health concerns.
Fans might lose interest
Fans love that only the best teams can join the World Cup. If 64 teams are allowed, it might not feel as special anymore. With more teams, the early games might feel too long or boring. This could lead to less interest in the tournament.
Time to put the game before the numbers
As FIFA tries to make the World Cup bigger, it’s important to remember what the tournament is about: the love of the game, not the numbers. The World Cup is where the best football players show their skills. If the goal is only to let more countries join, the event could lose its glamour.
The focus should stay on keeping the World Cup special and exciting. FIFA needs to think: Does a bigger World Cup help the sport, the players, and the fans? It’s time to put football first and keep the World Cup a real test of the world’s best talent.
