FIFA President Gianni Infantino is weighing a plan to expand the World Cup to 64 teams by 2030. The move would double the tournament's current size and could have major implications for crypto fan tokens, NFTs, and the broader sports crypto market.
The expansion plan
Infantino is considering the jump from 32 to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, according to people familiar with the discussions. The World Cup already expanded to 48 teams for 2026, but the president wants to go further. No formal proposal has been submitted to the FIFA Council yet.
The timing is notable. The 2030 tournament is set to span three continents — Morocco, Portugal, and Spain are the main hosts, with matches also in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to mark the centenary. Adding more teams would mean more matches, more broadcast slots, and more commercial inventory.
Crypto fan tokens in the crosshairs
Sports crypto markets have been watching FIFA closely. The organization launched its own NFT platform ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and several national teams have issued fan tokens through platforms like Socios. A 64-team tournament would create demand for new tokens from smaller federations that currently don't have a crypto presence.
It's not just tokens. FIFA has experimented with blockchain-based ticketing and digital collectibles. More teams means more opportunities to mint NFTs tied to match moments, player highlights, and national pride. The market for sports NFTs has cooled since 2022, but a massive event like a 64-team World Cup could reignite interest.
Infantino hasn't set a timeline for a decision. The FIFA Council would need to vote on any expansion. Critics argue the tournament is already bloated and that adding 16 more teams would dilute quality. But for the crypto side, the math is simple: more teams, more fans, more digital assets.
The 2030 World Cup is still four years away. If Infantino pushes ahead, expect a wave of token launches and NFT drops tied to the expanded field. The question is whether the crypto market will be ready — and whether FIFA can avoid the regulatory headaches that have plagued other sports crypto projects.
