World Cup 2026: Semi-final build-up continues as 64-team expansion for 2030 considered

By Rohan Gupta — 13 July 2026 — 3 min read

World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals Underway

As the World Cup 2026 progresses, anticipation builds for the semi-final matches. Four teams remain in the tournament: Argentina, England, France, and Spain. These matches are among the final games of the initial 104-match schedule, which has spanned across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Some fans are making significant efforts to attend these crucial games. One fan, for instance, booked tickets for the semi-final before the results of the preceding matches were known, travelling from Manchester to Atlanta via Paris with his 8-year-old son to watch England play. He hopes to see England secure a win and potentially witness Lionel Messi’s final match for his country.

Discussions among football observers include the potential performance of the remaining teams. Some believe Spain has the best chance against France, especially if Rodri maintains his form, though they note Lamine Yamal may not be fully fit. Concerns have been raised about England’s defence, while Argentina’s midfield strength is questioned against stronger opponents.

Potential Expansion for Future Tournaments

Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing regarding a potential expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 tournament. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has indicated that this possibility will be examined by relevant committees after the current tournament. The idea is to make the tournament more inclusive, allowing more nations to dream of participating and encouraging improvement in football globally.

The current 2026 edition is the first to feature 48 teams, an increase from the 32 teams that competed from 1998 to 2022. Infantino has described the 48-team format as a “huge success,” noting that teams from every continent scored goals and earned at least one point. He highlighted that nine out of ten African teams reached the knockout stage in this format, compared to five in the previous tournament.

The 2030 tournament is planned as a multi-continent event, with the first three matches scheduled in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, followed by games in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. An expansion to 64 teams could mean that the South American host nations might each host a four-team group, rather than just one match.

Challenges and Perspectives on Expansion

The concept of expanding the World Cup further to 64 teams presents both advantages and logistical challenges. Proponents suggest that it could eliminate the current system where third-placed teams qualify from groups, potentially leading to a cleaner tournament structure where only the top two teams advance. This could also increase the number of FIFA-affiliated countries participating, with almost a third of the 211 member nations potentially qualifying.

However, an expansion would also intensify the infrastructural demands on host nations, including requirements for grounds, hotels, training facilities, and media infrastructure. Some football officials, such as UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, have expressed reservations, calling the 64-team proposal a “bad idea” that could lead to “chaos” and damage the broader football ecosystem. Despite these concerns, FIFA’s official stance is to discuss all expansion ideas with stakeholders and consider proposals from council members, with a decision to be made by the FIFA council.

The FIFA council approved the expansion to 48 teams in 2017, and a formal proposal for a 64-team 2030 World Cup was put forward by Conmebol in April 2025.

Source: theguardian.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter