FIFA Expands World Cup to 64 Teams by 2030 Amid Private Investment Crisis

FIFA is simultaneously advancing two controversial plans that have triggered unprecedented opposition from European, Asian, and North American football confederations. On July 28, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a proposal to sell up to 21 percent of a new $20 billion commercial subsidiary to private investors, including a firm backed by Joshua Kushner, brother of U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law. The initiative would raise $4.2 billion and offer member associations $20 million each to approve the scheme by September 19. In parallel, FIFA released a research brief on July 30 with a compressed four-week timeline to assess expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams starting in 2030, with a decision targeted for August 14.

The private investment proposal has provoked the strongest institutional response in FIFA's history. UEFA's 55 member associations voted unanimously on July 30 to boycott all FIFA competitions—including the World Cups and Club World Cups for men and women—if the FFE plan proceeds. CONCACAF (41 members) rejected the proposal citing "lack of due process," while the AFC (46 members) called for an "urgent review" of FIFA's governance framework, stating "football should never have been placed in such a position." UEFA framed the plan as "governance by intimidation," arguing that once private investors own stakes, "commercial return becomes a permanent obligation" and decisions will be driven by shareholder expectations rather than the interests of the game. Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, AFC president, wrote that FIFA acted "totally unacceptable" by announcing the plan without consultation and that "such an initiative will not succeed without the support of all the confederations, which is not the case now."

Infantino has defended both initiatives as opportunities, not obligations. In a video released July 31, he characterized FFE as part of a "democratic consultation process" designed to unlock "previously uncaptured commercial value" and turbocharge global football development. FIFA's formal response blamed "incorrect media reports" for disrupting consultation and reaffirmed the plan would require majority approval from the 211 member associations. The body stressed that FFE would remain FIFA-owned and controlled, with governance and sporting decisions unaffected. On the 64-team expansion, FIFA stated it is seeking independent analysis of economic and systemic impacts before the 2030 tournament, which will be primarily hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco with matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay marking the World Cup's centenary.

The two initiatives have collided with severe criticism from players, supporters, and political figures. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated "football does not belong to investors" and that "once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out." The Football Supporters' Association called the plan a "new low" and pledged to fight it. A German politician called for a stadium ban on Infantino. FIFA's senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned on July 31, describing FFE as "a bad deal for football." The Women's Under-20 World Cup (scheduled September 5 in Poland) and Women's World Cup play-offs (October) now risk disruption if European teams follow through on the boycott threat before FIFA's September 19 deadline.

Infantino faces a leadership crisis. Previously expected to be re-elected unopposed for a fourth term in March 2027, speculation now centers on potential opposition candidates. Sources indicate he may seek a commissioner-like role at FFE beyond 2031, raising questions about his long-term influence. The rapid acceleration of the 64-team expansion—with a decision timeline of just four weeks and member associations reportedly not informed before the tender—has deepened concerns about FIFA's consultation practices and heightened tensions with confederations already alienated by the privatization proposal. The two plans together suggest a fundamental shift in FIFA's governance model that football's regional bodies view as existentially threatening to their authority and the sport's independence.