2030 World Cup: CONMEBOL confirms historic expansion to 64 teams

CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez has confirmed that the 2030 World Cup will feature an unprecedented sixty‑four teams, marking the largest expansion in the tournament’s history. Speaking on Monday, Domínguez declared that the centenary edition will “come home,” with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay hosting the opening matches in tribute to the first World Cup played at Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario. 

Although FIFA has yet to issue an official statement, Domínguez’s announcement adds weight to months of speculation and formalises the plan to add sixteen more nations beyond the forty‑eight‑team format debuting in 2026. After the South American openers, the competition will move to Spain, Portugal and Morocco for the remainder of the tournament. 

The expansion represents another major milestone for global football and underscores South America’s symbolic role in the anniversary edition. Uruguay will host the first match, while Argentina and Paraguay will also stage opening fixtures before the tournament shifts across continents.