CONCACAF Pushes Back Against CONMEBOL’s 64-Team World Cup Ambition

A plan to expand the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 teams, proposed by South America's CONMEBOL, is already facing significant opposition. According to AS, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani has voiced strong disapproval of Alejandro Domínguez’s idea, arguing that such a move would be premature and harmful to the broader football ecosystem.

Montagliani pointed out that global football is still adjusting to the already-approved 48-team format, which will debut at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. “We haven’t even launched the new 48-team World Cup yet, so I don’t believe a 64-team expansion should even be on the table,” he said in remarks to ESPN.

While acknowledging that Concacaf has supported change—such as the expansion of the Women’s World Cup and ongoing adjustments in club and national team competitions—Montagliani emphasized the need for balance. “I don’t think expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams is the right decision, either for the tournament itself or the wider football ecosystem,” he added.

Domínguez’s push appears aimed at ensuring all ten South American nations have a path to qualification, especially with Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina already qualified as hosts. But from the perspective of other federations, particularly in North and Central America, the proposal raises concerns about competitive balance and logistical feasibility. For now, the initiative seems far from gaining universal support.