FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the governing body will formally discuss expanding the men's World Cup to 64 teams following the 2026 tournament, arguing that every nation deserves the opportunity to dream of competing on football's grandest stage.

The confirmation marks a significant moment for global football, particularly for confederations such as CAF, which have long pushed for greater African representation at the World Cup. An expanded tournament would open the door to more nations from Africa, Asia, and beyond.

The 2026 World Cup — co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico — will already be the largest in the competition's history, featuring 48 teams, up from the 32-team format that has been in place since 1998. A further expansion to 64 teams would double the original 32-team structure.

Infantino did not outline a specific timeline for when such a decision might be made, but his comments signal that FIFA's leadership is open to reshaping the tournament's future on an even grander scale.