A World Cup extra largeWith the participation of 64 teams, is a hypothesis that does not convince UEFA, indeed, it is rejected outright by the president Alexander Ceferin.
During the Congress of the European Confederation ongoing at Belgrade, the number one of UEFA has expressed his clear dissent towards the idea of a further expansion of the World Cup for the centenary edition, planned in 2030. “It surprises me quite a bit, it's a bad idea”, said Ceferin, commenting on the proposal put forward last 5 March from the president of the Uruguayan Football Federation, Ignacio Alonso, over the last FIFA Council.
Currently, the Men's World Cup is already set to increase the number of participants from 32 to 48 national starting from the edition of 2026, which will be held between United States, Mexico and Canada. The Fifa, for his part, defined Uruguay's proposal as an idea “spontaneous”, claiming to have the “duty to analyze it”, without however specifying the position of its president Gianni InfantinoAn attitude that leaves future scenarios open, but which does not allay UEFA's doubts.
According to Ceferin, a 64-team World Cup would not only distort the competition, but would also have negative repercussions on the qualifications, for which each confederation is responsible. “It's not a good idea for the World Cup itself and not even for our qualifications”, he reiterated, underlining how the hypothesis emerged only during the FIFA Council, without a real preliminary debate.
Increasingly tense relations between UEFA and FIFA
The climate between UEFA and FIFA is becoming increasingly tense, in a context in which the world body is gaining ever greater influence in the international calendar. An example above all is the birth of the new 32-team Club World Cup, scheduled for next summer. For the time being, the 2030 World Cup will take place as planned between Spain, Portugal and Morocco, but the debate on the possible enlargement is only just beginning. And UEFA, at least for now, is firmly against the idea.
In short
An extra-large World Cup, with the participation of 64 teams, is an option that does not convince UEFA; in fact, it has been rejected outright by president Aleksander Ceferin.
- During the European Football Confederation's congress underway in Belgrade, UEFA's president expressed his clear dissent…
- "It surprises me quite a bit, it's a bad idea," Ceferin said, commenting on the proposal put forward on March 5 by…
- The men's World Cup is currently set to increase its number of participants from 32 to 48 national teams starting…
Key questions
What is the main point of the news?
An extra-large World Cup, with the participation of 64 teams, is an option that does not convince UEFA; in fact, it has been rejected outright by president Aleksander Ceferin.
Why is this news relevant?
During the European Football Confederation's congress underway in Belgrade, UEFA's president expressed his clear dissent…
Which detail helps us understand the case better?
"It surprises me quite a bit; it's a bad idea," Ceferin said, commenting on the proposal put forward on March 5 by the president of the Uruguayan Football Federation,…
I don't understand why the idea of a 64-team World Cup is so frowned upon. Maybe Ceferin is afraid of changing things, but football must evolve. More teams can bring more excitement and competition.