UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin’s early and blunt assessment of a 64-team World Cup as a “bad idea” has effectively become FIFA’s official, albeit unstated, stance. The global governing body is not moving forward with the proposal, reflecting the widespread influence of Ceferin’s view and the powerful opposition to the plan.
The idea was formally floated in a meeting between a South American delegation and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in New York. The Conmebol leaders were pushing for a major expansion of the 2030 centenary tournament, a move that would greatly benefit their region.
However, Ceferin’s public denunciation of the proposal seems to have galvanized the opposition. His argument that it would reduce the quality of the tournament and undermine the qualifying competition resonated with many within the FIFA Council. An inside source has confirmed that the council is overwhelmingly against the plan, echoing Ceferin’s concerns.
As a FIFA vice-president, Ceferin’s opinion carries significant weight, and his willingness to speak out early helped to frame the debate. He was joined in his criticism by fellow VP Victor Montagliani of Concacaf, creating a powerful bloc of resistance that has proven impossible to overcome.
While FIFA’s official position is to remain open to discussion, the reality is that the “bad idea” label has stuck. The consensus within the organization is that the risks of a 64-team tournament are too great, and Ceferin’s initial verdict has been vindicated.