Fifa to consider expanding World Cup to 64 teams

Fifa will look at the possibility of a 64-team World Cup after the 2026 edition, president Gianni Infantino has said.

The 2026 tournament will be the biggest in World Cup history, with the field expanded from 32 teams to 48 and 40 extra matches added to the competition.

Speaking to Swiss outlet bluewin, Infantino said the success of the 48-team format showed international football had the quality to support another increase.

"A 64-team World Cup is certainly something that will be considered and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup," he said. "Every country should have the chance to pursue the dream of playing in the World Cup."

He added that standards were rising across the game and said smaller countries would lose motivation to improve if they were shut out of the tournament.

The 2030 World Cup is due to mark the centenary of the first edition, which took place in 1930 with 13 teams.