FIFA pushes 64-team World Cup study amid heated sell-off controversy

On July 30 FIFA circulated a request for proposals to an independent firm to study the feasibility of increasing the World Cup field from 48 to 64 teams, aiming to implement the format at the 2030 edition. The brief calls for a business-to-business assessment of revenue potential, market appetite and systemic consequences, while limiting fan sentiment to a secondary role. At the same time, President Gianni Infantino is advancing a plan to sell minority interests in the FIFA Forward Enterprise to a consortium headed by Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner.

UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation have formally opposed the sell-off and announced a boycott of FIFA competitions if it proceeds. CAF has not declared its position, and CONMEBOL’s president Alejandro Dominguez supports expansion but has not commented on the privatization. FIFA expects agency proposals by August 7, a board decision on August 14, and a final analysis by September 11, while insisting that “nobody is selling football.” If both the expansion and privatization are approved, host nations Spain and Portugal could miss the 2030 tournament, with matches also scheduled in Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina.