FIFA reportedly weighing 64-team World Cup expansion for 2038

FIFA is reportedly looking at another World Cup expansion, this time to 64 teams, with 2038 as the target. Sports Business Journal first reported that the idea is being weighed internally, even before the 48-team format has kicked off.

What is on the table

Per the reporting, FIFA is internally considering expanding to a 64-team format by 2038, with the existing 48-team structure, introduced at this edition, already stretching host nation logistics considerably.

The 64-team proposal was originally floated by CONMEBOL, South American football’s governing body, back in March 2025, tied to the 2030 World Cup that marks 100 years since the inaugural tournament in Uruguay. The 2038 cycle is now the more realistic target.

Why 2038 and not sooner

The 2034 World Cup has already been awarded to Saudi Arabia, meaning FIFA’s dance card is full through at least the mid-2030s. That leaves 2038 as the next open hosting slot.

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s World Cup task force, is already open to the U.S. potentially hosting 64 teams in 2038, which is now the next available tournament to bid for after Saudi Arabia landed 2034 unopposed.

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The money angle

More teams means more matches, more broadcast inventory and more sponsorship slots. If FIFA puts on more matches — this World Cup has 104 compared to 64 in 2022 — more money comes in.

A 64-team event would push that further, with implications for media rights holders, sportsbooks, hospitality operators and payment partners.

Pushback inside the tent

Reports suggest Gianni Infantino is not showing much enthusiasm for the idea internally, with FIFA‘s president said to have reservations about enlarging the competition beyond its newly expanded 48-team format, making another increase appear increasingly unlikely.

Several influential confederations continue to express concerns over another expansion. UEFA remains firmly opposed, while the Asian Football Confederation is also said to have significant doubts, with concerns revolving around the already demanding international calendar, logistical challenges, and the complexity of organizing an even larger tournament.

Options market and stocks to watch

A bigger World Cup pulls in a familiar set of names tied to media, sponsorship and consumer spend. Watch for:

• DIS — Disney’s ESPN and broadcast assets stand to benefit from any expansion of global rights inventory.
• FOX — Fox holds U.S. English-language World Cup rights and would see a larger event reshape its sports slate.
• NKE and ADDYY — Nike and Adidas are the dominant kit and boot suppliers, with more federations meaning more sponsorship lanes.
• KO and MCD — Long-standing FIFA partners that scale spend with tournament size.
• DKNG — A 64-team field meaningfully expands the betting handle window for sportsbooks.

Nothing is signed. The key word is “could.” This is not a confirmed bid, not a hosting award, and not a finalized FIFA format change. It is an early signal of interest around a tournament cycle still more than a decade away.

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