The reported proposal to expand the FIFA World Cup 2030 to 64 teams raises serious questions about the future direction of international football. While the idea may appear attractive as a way to give more nations a chance to participate, it risks undermining the very quality and prestige that make the World Cup the pinnacle of the sport.
A larger tournament could provide more opportunities for teams from emerging football regions, particularly in areas such as the CONCACAF region, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, India and China, where huge populations represent significant commercial potential. However, football development cannot be achieved simply by creating easier pathways to the biggest stage.
The priority should be building stronger domestic leagues, improving youth systems, investing in grassroots programmes and creating sustainable football structures. A World Cup place should be the reward for progress, not a substitute for it.
A 64-team tournament may lead to more matches, greater commercial returns and wider global representation, but it could also dilute competition quality. The World Cup has always carried its unique appeal because qualification is difficult and every match feels meaningful. Expanding participation too far could risk turning the tournament into a larger event rather than a better one.
La Liga president Javier Tebas’ warning that such expansion could damage the football ecosystem deserves attention. Football is not built only around a 40-day global spectacle. It depends on the health of domestic competitions, clubs and players who sustain the sport throughout the year.
FIFA’s responsibility should be to strengthen football worldwide, not merely increase the size of its biggest tournament. Quality must remain the foundation of the World Cup. A truly global game is not created by adding more teams, but by helping more nations become genuinely competitive.