Expanded World Cup delivers as Infantino eyes 64 teams next

The inaugural World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930, with 13 sides, and the tournament developed over the decades with different formats.

It expanded from 24 to 32 teams for the 1998 World Cup in France.

The 2026 tournament, held across the United States, Mexico and Canada, and which began on 11 June, features 48 teams for the first time.

It is due to finish on 19 July, with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Review of competition
"These are all issues that we will be examining after the World Cup," said FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, who was one of the main advocates for expansion.

During an interview with the Swiss TV channel Blue Sport, he declined to specify when a larger World Cup competition might take place.

"I think it is important that when you want to organise a World Cup, you do it for the whole world, not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire world," said the 56-year-old Swiss.

"Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup.

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"You can see that the quality of the teams is extremely high, and it's getting higher and higher, all over the world.

"If you don't give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they'll lack the incentive to keep improving."

Africa gets more places
Teams from Africa will be among the main beneficiaries of the proposed expansion.

Although Africa and Europe have each had around 50 national football associations affiliated to FIFA, Africa has historically received proportionally fewer places at the quadrennial competition.

In 2022, there were five African sides and 13 European teams.

For the 2026 edition, there were 16 European sides. Nine places were up for grabs from Africa, and the Democratic Republic of Congo increased the continent's presence to 10 after negotiating two games in an African play-off and an inter-confederation play-off.

"Nine out of 10 African teams reached the knockout stage," Infantino added.

"That just goes to show how important it is to include all teams, to give them this opportunity to participate."

Africa's 90 per cent success rate was the highest among the regions affiliated to FIFA. South America, on 83.33 per cent, was second, followed by Europe and Asia, both on 22.22 per cent of their teams advancing from the group stage.

And then there were 48 ... how the World Cup has expanded since 1930

European sides began to shine in the knockout phase, providing six quarter-finalists. Africa and South America each provided one, in the shape of Morocco and Argentina respectively.

Africa's finest fell away in the round of 32, with seven eliminated.

Egypt reached the round of 16 and were 2-0 up against defending champions Argentina with 11 minutes remaining, before their lead collapsed. Senegal had also squandered a two-goal lead against Belgium in the last 32.

Egypt boss Hossam Hassan claimed that François Letexier's officiating team may have been subjected to "external pressure" to favour Argentina.

Referees make honest mistakes
FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina responded: "Match officials make honest decisions and, just like players and coaches, they always try to do their best."

Fox Sports analyst and former France striker Thierry Henry said: "African sides relax too early. People talk about talent and passion, but when they go two goals up, the focus drops."

Co-analyst and former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimović added: "Several African teams that were leading found a way to lose. In a World Cup, that is not bad luck, that is bad game management."

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A 64-team World Cup involving 16 groups of four teams would provide a simpler structure for the round of 32.

In the 2026 tournament, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups advanced automatically, joined by the eight best third-placed teams in the last 32.

Owing to the delay between the start and end of the final round of group games, teams playing in the later groups went into their last group match with an advantage, knowing exactly what they needed to do to secure a third-place finish.

(With newswires)