Overview

• FIFA is formally assessing CONMEBOL’s proposal to increase the 2030 tournament from 48 to 64 teams, and any change would require FIFA Council approval.
• Gianni Infantino met in late September in New York with the presidents of Uruguay and Paraguay and South American football officials, a session viewed as a signal he may support the idea.
• An expansion to 64 teams would push the schedule to roughly 128 matches and likely extend the event, intensifying strain on the international calendar and logistics.
• South American co-hosts aim to secure more matches on their continent than the three opening games currently planned for the centenary edition spanning six countries.
• In a separate development tied to 2026, Germany fell to 12th in the FIFA ranking, risking Pot 2 for the Dec. 5 draw in Washington, with a playoff route later assigning Pot 4 regardless of ranking.