The men's World Cup has been expanded from 32 to 48 teams, an initiative announced by FIFA under president Gianni Infantino less than a year after he succeeded Sepp Blatter. The change was initially met with a mixed reaction from observers.
The inaugural 48-team tournament yielded both positive and negative outcomes, highlighting new faces alongside notable gulfs in class among the competing nations and flawed drama on the pitch.
The structural shift has prompted questions regarding the long-term format of international football, specifically raising discussions on whether the sport must now brace for a future 64-team World Cup.
In-depth summary · AI, neutral