UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has strongly criticized the proposal to expand the men’s 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, calling it “a bad idea.” The suggestion was made during a March 6 online meeting of FIFA’s ruling council, with a delegate from Uruguay leading the proposal.
Aleksander Čeferin: Quality Concerns
Čeferin, also a FIFA vice president, expressed his surprise at the proposal and questioned its viability. “This proposal was maybe even more surprising for me than you,” Čeferin said at a news conference following UEFA’s annual meeting in Belgrade, Serbia. “I think it is a bad idea.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a proponent of competition expansion, seems to support the proposal, viewing it as a means to generate revenue and boost the global development of football. However, critics argue that the expanded 64-team format would dilute the quality of play, with more than 120 matches in the tournament. Furthermore, the increase in teams could diminish the significance of the qualifying process.
Impact on European Qualifiers
Čeferin emphasized that the proposal would harm both the World Cup and the qualifying system. “It is not a good idea for the World Cup itself, and it’s not a good idea for our qualifiers as well,” he stated.
UEFA has 16 spots in the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With the new European qualifying format, teams will play fewer games in more concentrated groups, making the competition more intense over just 10 weeks from September to November this year.
Future of the World Cup Remains Uncertain
As FIFA continues to weigh the pros and cons of expanding the World Cup, UEFA remains firmly against the idea, citing concerns over the tournament’s integrity and the quality of football on display. The debate is set to continue as the 2026 World Cup draws closer.