What happened: FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated adding 16 further nations to the tournament would give every country an opportunity to compete at the international level.

Why it matters: A 64-nation field would alter qualification structures across all regional confederations by increasing global tournament access. The proposal follows the previous expansion from 32 to 48 teams implemented for the 2026 cycle.

What to watch: Discussions on the 64-team proposal will take place after the conclusion of the 2026 tournament.