The proposed expansion of the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64 teams has sparked widespread opposition within South America, with the majority of Conmebol members expressing concerns about the potential negative impact on their football structures. While Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina are pushing for the idea, seven of the ten federations in the region have voiced strong objections.
The resistance stems mainly from fears that increasing the number of teams would undermine the competitiveness and commercial value of South America’s World Cup qualifiers, which are among the most challenging and lucrative in the world. Currently, all ten nations play each other home and away in an 18-game round-robin format, with the top six earning automatic qualification and the seventh entering an intercontinental play-off. This format ensures high-quality, closely contested matches that drive strong television audiences and sponsorship deals—key revenue sources for smaller associations.
If the World Cup were expanded to 64 teams, South America could be guaranteed as many as eight or nine qualification spots. Many federations believe that this would dilute the significance of the qualifiers and reduce their financial returns. Furthermore, there is a perception that Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina are promoting the plan primarily to serve their own interests. These nations have proposed hosting the entire group stage of the 2030 tournament, a move seen by others as an attempt to monopolize the event’s benefits rather than share them regionally.
FIFA has maintained that all proposals from member associations must be considered, though the plan has already drawn criticism beyond South America. European and North American football leaders have warned that such an expansion could compromise the quality of the competition and overburden the international football calendar.
The World Cup’s steady growth over the decades—from 16 teams in 1978 to 24 in 1982, 32 in 1998, and 48 in 2026—has already tested the logistical and sporting balance of the event. A 64-team format would nearly double the number of matches, raising questions about sustainability, scheduling, and global interest.
While the proposal remains under discussion, it has clearly exposed divisions within Conmebol and highlighted growing unease across global football about the relentless push for expansion. Many see the current plan as a step too far, prioritizing commercial ambition over the integrity of the world’s most prestigious tournament.
