FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that only the USA and 2035 World Cup have only registered Great Britain for the 2031 World Cup. The tournament is to be extended to 48 teams.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed at the UEFA congress in Belgrade, “That we received a valid offer for 2031 and for 2035”. In 2031, USA would have to grow up, possibly with other countries from North America. “The application for 2035 comes from Europe“, said Infantino, it is England, WalesScotland and Northern Ireland.
Infantino emphasized the term “Valid offer”. Countries from Africa also had the chance to apply and theoretically this is still possible until Saturday. Infantino already said: “So the path is prepared for big tournaments and great countries.”
Infantino makes it clear: 48 teams should play along
Infantino promised a larger tournament. “Our plan is to increase the number of teams to 48”said Infantino. “We will discuss this in the FIFA Council. This should be adjusted to the men’s World Cup.”
It was only at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand increased the number of teams at the final round from 24 to 32 teams. The format aroused concern that too large differences between the teams could become visible. But these concerns were not confirmed, the tournament was largely rated positively in terms of sport.
The Olympic football tournament of women is also to be expanded, from 12 to 16 teams – as in men. The IOC did not agree, so it was considered at FIFA to reduce the men’s tournament to accordingly to have 16 women’s teams with them. Olympics are significantly more important in women’s football.
Tournament expansion logistical Challenge
From the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, the men’s World Cup will be held with 48 teams and 104 games. For comparison: this is the double extent of the EM 2024 men in Germany or EM of women in 2025 in Switzerland.
Spain’s players celebrate after the victory against England in the 2023 World Cup final.
Such a change would be logistically a major challenge, in the format with 32 teams only 64 games are held. “If such a change occur, all requirements are adjusted accordingly, so that all bidders have enough time to take this into account when preparing their offers“FIFA writes in the document.
| Year | Team | country |
|---|---|---|
1991 | 12 | China |
1995 | 12 | Sweden |
1999 | 16 | USA |
2003 | 16 | USA |
2007 | 16 | China |
2011 | 16 | Germany |
2015 | 24 | Canada |
2019 | 24 | France |
2023 | 32 | Australia and New Zealand |
2027 | 32 | Brazil |
2031 | 48* | USA* |
2035 | 48* | Great Britain* |
*not yet confirmed
The official decision is made in spring 2026
For 2031, only countries from North and Central America and Africa should be able to apply. 2035 should only be considered countries from Europe and Africa.
The restriction to certain continents should previously produce a kind of justice with a view to the host countries. The DFB in vain with the Netherlands and Belgium around the 2027 World Cup, the tournament was awarded to Brazil. The DFB is now trying to do the EM 2029, but also has strong competition there: Denmark and Sweden in a joint application as well as Portugal, Poland and Italy also want the tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announces the winner when applying for the 2027 World Cup: Brazil
Double award again lived practice in the FIFA
There was a lot of criticism of the principle of duplication in the award of the 2030 World Cup and the 2034 World Cup in December 2024: for example from human rights organizations, sports law experts and also officially in the FIFA congress from the Norwegian Association. Since the scandal for the allocation of the two men’s tournaments in 2018 and 2022 to Russia and Qatar, duplicate rates were actually abolished as part of several reforms in the FIFA statutes – to prevent agreements, deals and corruption.
Now the double award is again living practice in FIFA. A corresponding change in statutes had been unanimously launched by the FIFA Council in 2024, i.e. also with the consent of DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, who is a member of the FIFA Council. On April 3, Neuendorf will be in the FIFA Council at the UEFA Congress in Belgrade for the re-election for four more years. The position is currently paid at $ 250,000 a year.