June 1 – Conmebol and its president Alejandro Domínguez have intensified their lobbying to bring more 2030 World Cup matches to the region.
On the sidelines of the Champions League final, Conmbeol’s general secretary, José Astigarraga, said that bringing more matches to South America is “something between Infantino and Domínguez” but confirmed that it’s high on Conmebol’s agenda.
The confederation is actively sounding out the world governing body, and its members, about the possibility.
At this stage, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina will host a single match each of the 2030 tournament before Spain, Portugal, and Morocco host the rest of the tournament. The six-country finals are a compromise that allows South America a centenary celebration of the World Cup.
It also paved the way for Saudi Arabia to host the 2034 World Cup.
Next year’s global showpiece will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, but Domínguez has been beating the drum for a 64-team World Cup in 2030. It was an idea first launched by Ignacio Alonso, the Uruguayan member of the FIFA Council. At last month’s FIFA Congress, staged by Conmebol, Domínguez urged the membership to consider another expansion. FIFA president Gianni Infantino in his final congress remarks also said that expanding to 64-teams in 2030 wasn’t a bad idea.
“Football belongs to the world. We are transforming football. We want the world to be part of that big party — a bigger one than the world has seen so far. The biggest party on earth. No one can be left behind,” said Dominguez at the FIFA Congress.
“I would like to repeat – don’t change your position, but reflect together to do something that the world is waiting for, something that football deserves. That’s Conmebol’s proposal – let’s dream big.”
Astigarraga’s words confirm that Infantino has still not shut the door on the idea, even though UEFA, the AFC, and Concacaf have expressed opposition to a 64-team World Cup.
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