FIFA discusses the idea of increasing the number of teams at the 2030 World Cup.

FIFA is considering the possibility of increasing the number of teams at the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64 in honor of the tournament's centenary. A decision has not yet been made, but the idea is considered interesting and requires thorough analysis. Previously, the number of participants in the final stage of the World Cup was increased to 48, and the tournament will take place in 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

UEFA (Europe) will receive 16 spots for the 2026 World Cup. The qualifiers in the European zone will run from March 2025 to March 2026 and will consist of two rounds. The first round of qualification will involve 12 groups, the winners of which will receive direct spots in the final stage. Teams finishing second in their groups and the best group winners from the Nations League who finish below second place will compete in playoff mini-tournaments for a spot in the championship. In total, the playoff mini-tournaments will consist of single-match semifinals and finals, after which four winners will secure spots for the tournament.

The number of spots from other confederations will be distributed as follows: AFC (Asia) - 8 spots + 1 place in the intercontinental playoff, CAF (Africa) - 9 spots + 1 place in the intercontinental playoff, CONCACAF (North and Central America) - 3 tournament hosts + 3 spots + 2 places in the intercontinental playoff, CONMEBOL (South America) - 6 spots + 1 place in the intercontinental playoff, OFC (Oceania) - 1 spot + 1 place in the intercontinental playoff, Intercontinental playoff - 2 spots.

The final part of the 2026 World Cup will consist of 48 teams, distributed into 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams will advance to the Round of 16. Matches will be played in 16 cities, including Toronto, Vancouver, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. The opening match will take place in Mexico City, and the final will be in New York.

Russia has been excluded from the World Cup qualification draw.