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FIFA president Gianni Infantino has not abandoned the idea of expanding the 2026 FIFA World Cup format to 64 teams for the 2030 tournament, according to The Times. Infantino has reportedly told the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) that he supports its proposal to significantly increase the number of participating nations.

CONMEBOL has proposed expanding the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 teams to allow South America to host more than the three matches currently planned. Spain, Portugal and Morocco are set to stage the main part of the tournament, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will each host one game as part of celebrations marking the centenary of the first World Cup, held in Uruguay in 1930.

FIFA has stressed that any decision on the proposed expansion would be taken by the organisation's Council rather than by Infantino personally. A final decision on the controversial proposal is expected by the end of this week.