UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF reject CONMEBOL’s proposal for 64-team World Cup
The global soccer community is beginning to react to CONMEBOL and Alejandro Domínguez’s proposals for the centennial World Cup. The request by South America’s governing body to expand the number of participating nations to 64 for that edition isn’t fully resonating. Major confederations from Europe and Asia are strongly opposing the measure, indicating it could forever change the landscape of the tournament. They believe there’s more to lose than to gain.
“We are convinced that the centennial celebration will be something unique. 100 years only happens once. And that is why we are proposing, for once, to carry out this anniversary with 64 teams on three simultaneous continents,” said Alejandro Domínguez, requesting the possibility of studying this unprecedented event. It’s worth remembering that from 2026 onwards, there will be a World Cup with 48 participants and a format that is unparalleled in history.
The world is starting to react. Víctor Montagliani, president of CONCACAF, Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa as president of the AFC, and Aleksander Ceferin at UEFA are speaking out against a measure they consider dangerous for the future. In Europe, media outlets like Relevo are talking about the danger of disrupting the World Cup ecosystem if this proposal is accepted. It’s claimed that the top official in Nyon calls it a ‘bad idea,’ considering that in the future, someone could even propose a World Cup with 128 qualified teams.
CONCACAF president expresses concerns
“I don’t think expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams is the right decision for the tournament itself or for the soccer ecosystem in general, from national teams to club competitions, leagues, and players. We haven’t even inaugurated the new 48-team World Cup yet, so personally, I don’t think expanding it to 64 teams should even be considered,” said Víctor Montagliani in recent hours. The international and emotional nature of the centennial edition is understood, but not the true benefits it could bring.
Asian perspective: A slippery slope?
A general analysis shared in Asia. Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa and the AFC have a similar view on a proposal that will now have to be measured by FIFA. It should be remembered that the world soccer body is obliged by statutes to study any proposal made by an affiliated confederation. In the East, they don’t hesitate in their analysis: “If the question remains open to change, then the door will not only be open to expanding the tournament to 64 teams.“
Spain joins the opposition
Even the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation is reacting to the situation. Relevo reports leaks where senior executives are asking that the proposal not even be considered. They speak of a general problem in having so many venues that meet FIFA’s minimum requirements and, above all, a scheduling nightmare to coexist between the world of clubs and nations. It should be remembered that the only preparation for the first World Cup played on three continents will be the 48-nation format that premieres in just 14 months.
The soccer world seems to be speaking out against CONMEBOL’s proposal for an edition that is unparalleled on an emotional and historical level. Only time will tell what happens, but the reality is that right now, from Europe to Asia and even in North America, an absolute revolution for the sport that is intended to be studied from the city of Luque is not convincing.