CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, along with UEFA and the AFC, has rejected the South American proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams. Montagliani expressed concerns about the impact such an expansion would have on the tournament and the broader football ecosystem, emphasizing the recent move to increase the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 edition.
While the CONMEBOL president suggested the 64-team plan as a one-off for the centenary event hosted across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, Montagliani believes it is premature to consider further expansion. Concurrently, AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa voiced opposition, highlighting the need for stability and expressing concerns over potential chaos if the tournament format continues to evolve unchecked. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin also criticized the proposal, labeling it a "bad idea." FIFA's response to the South American proposition remains pending as secretary general Mattias Grafstrom indicated that the organization would evaluate the proposal.