The 2026 World Cup ended amid the joy of Spain’s title win. Much of the debate that preceded the tournament — high ticket prices, the long distances between host cities, fears that a 48-team format would dilute quality, visa complications and the host countries’ political climate — has largely faded behind the celebrations.
Many expected FIFA to present the tournament as the most successful in history once it ended. With a successful event, huge revenue and strong fan interest, discussion has now begun about making future World Cups even bigger.
In the current economic reality, one idea has gained force: if a 48-team World Cup works, there is no reason to object to an even larger event. That thinking has opened discussion of a 64-team World Cup or something bigger still.
A 64-team World Cup is not yet a formal proposal, but it is being discussed in various quarters. Given fan interest and commercial potential, many believe such a decision is not impossible in future.
Many argue that raising the number of teams could lower the standard of competition. But there is a counter-view: football’s success is now measured not only by quality but by audience numbers, broadcasting rights and revenue.
Taking the idea a step further, a plan for a 128-team World Cup has also been floated. Under the proposal, eight separate phases could be held in eight host countries with 16 teams each, with two teams from each phase advancing.
The last 16 would then contest a final phase in a ninth country, split into four groups, followed by semifinals, a third-place match and the final to decide the champion.
Although such an event seems impossible at first glance, the arithmetic suggests the time would not stretch much. The 2026 World Cup finished in 39 days; the proposed 128-team World Cup could be completed in about 41 days across its phases, and could even fit a 39-day schedule if travel time were trimmed.
Qualifying would remain as before for such a large event. Host countries would play directly in the main phase, while the rest would have to come through qualifying.
Supporters of the plan say it would reduce the chance of strong sides such as Italy missing the World Cup, while increasing participation from big markets including China and India. Countries could also host one phase of a World Cup at comparatively low cost.
They believe broadcasting-rights values and commercial revenue would rise sharply, since there is no sign of fan interest in football declining. The report says such a plan has more advantages than drawbacks, and that its author would not be surprised if a 128-team World Cup came about in future.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report