FIFA eyes World Cup format expansion from 48 to 64 teams: Should the US be the permanent host?
World Cup spurs economic growth, inspires future U.S. Soccer talent
Brian Kilmeade presents data on the World Cup boom, showcasing record viewership numbers and significant economic boosts in host cities. Major League Soccer founder Alan Rothenberg highlights the success of the tournament and the young talent emerging in US Soccer. Rothenberg believes this momentum will inspire the next generation of players, solidifying the sport’s growth and competitive future in the United States.
After widespread complaints and consternation from European fans, commentators and some domestic sportswriters about the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there is no doubt that this year’s tournament is a huge, monumental success.
The group stage alone set an attendance record for any World Cup, as fans from around the world traveled to the United States to see their teams play. Local fans also took to the field in full force; neutral fans spent huge amounts of money on tickets to see the highest level of international football.
Ratings were skyrocketing after the U.S. men’s national team broke the record for most-watched English-language soccer broadcast during its loss to Belgium.
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USA’s Folarin Balogun (20) and USA’s Christian Pulisic (10) are on standby after Balogun received a red card during the World Cup Round of 32 match between the USA and Bosnia, played on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
One of the changes to the format in 2026 was its expansion from the traditional 32 teams to 48 teams. For the most part, this was seen as a success, although many purists were skeptical. Although it limits the chances of a major tournament favorite advancing to the Group Stage, smaller countries are allowed to participate and, in some cases, surprisingly become fan favorites. Cape Verde, for example, not only made it through the first round, but also pushed Argentina to the brink.
FIFA, an organization that never hesitates to improve its financial statement, also wants to benefit from this advantage. FIFA president Gianni Infantino acknowledged that talks on future expansion would begin immediately.
“This is definitely an issue that will be taken up and discussed in the relevant committees after the World Cup,” he told Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport when asked about reports of a 64-team format. “When you organize a World Cup, it’s important that you organize it for the whole world. Not just Europe and South America, but effectively the whole world. Every nation should be able to dream of participating in the World Cup.
“We see that the quality of the teams is extremely high and this quality is increasing all over the world. If you do not give small countries the chance to qualify for the World Cup, they lose the motivation to continue to improve.”
Lionel Messi and Argentina had to get past Switzerland to continue their quest for back-to-back World Cup titles. (Photo: MB Media/Getty Images)
This makes sense from both a competitive and financial perspective. More teams means more games. More games means more broadcasts, higher fees and more fans buying tickets. But Infantino is also right that it is important and valuable for football’s international governing body to encourage greater participation and investment.
However, there are two other significant problems arising from the 64-team format. The perennial qualifying format will become a bit of a farce, as almost every major country will now be able to qualify easily. And for those same angry Europeans, how many countries have the required number of venues to stage a 64-team tournament in just over a month?
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Reply? Well, pretty much only the United States. If FIFA goes ahead with a 32-team second round, 128 matches could be played in such a large World Cup. And if they want to maintain the available time, this is a necessity given the club season calendar, which means 128 matches in just 38 days. FIFA has used 16 venues to host the current 104-match tournament. Expansion would likely mean four more stadiums, bringing that number to 20.
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There are 11 stadiums in the United Kingdom with a capacity of more than 60,000 seats. There are only five in Spain, one with just over 60 thousand. Germany has four, and Italy and France have only two each. So to get to 20 major venues you’ll need to combine England, Spain and Germany.
Meanwhile, there are approximately 75 stadiums in the United States with a capacity of 60,000 seats. It has the advantage of being the only country that minimizes travel problems between the UK and Continental Europe. With many large, modern stadiums that do not require significant upgrades, FIFA is able to sell the most tickets while minimizing the cost for the host country.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino shakes hands with US President Donald Trump while receiving the FIFA Peace Prize during the Official Draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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So should the USA be the permanent World Cup venue? Other countries and federations will object, of course, but the story of the 2026 event was that America and its people were great hosts to visiting fans. Perhaps the USMNT’s missed opportunity in its home tournament won’t be as big a disappointment as it seems.
