Notwithstanding the backlash against FIFA and Gianni Infantino over the proposal to effectively sell the World Cup to private investors, soccer’s world governing body is still pushing ahead with plans to further expand future editions of the men’s tournament to 64 teams.
Expansion to 48 participants in 2026 was controversial enough, with FIFA and Infantino accused of diluting the quality and prestige of the 96-year-old competition in pursuit of increased revenue. Former Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz called it “something vulgar and ordinary,” lacking “rarity” and “value” because qualifying is no longer the achievement it once was.
