A research brief revealed that FIFA is studying the impact of increasing the number of teams participating in the FIFA World Cup finals from 48 to 64 in the 2030 edition.
According to PA Media, a research brief stated, "FIFA wants to appoint an independent body to determine whether increasing the number of teams participating in the World Cup from 48 to 64, starting with the 2030 edition, will affect the tournament."
The documents indicated that FIFA would receive the agency's proposals by August 7, and would issue its decision seven days later, while the agency is scheduled to submit its analysis on September 11.
The 2026 World Cup finals, held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, saw an unprecedented expansion, with 48 teams participating for the first time.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing increasing pressure amid growing opposition to plans to attract private investment in a company that would manage the World Cup, after three continental federations rejected the plans and Infantino's chief advisor resigned over them.
One of the main concerns regarding the plan was the possibility that private sector investors might seek to organize larger and more frequent tournaments to maximize profits.
