The rejection of the 64-team World Cup is a fascinating case study in the politics of “no” at FIFA. A powerful and unusually united coalition of stakeholders has successfully blocked the proposal, demonstrating that despite the organization’s reputation for expansion, there are limits to its growth.
The proposal was put forward by the South American confederation, Conmebol, and was given a formal hearing by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. On the surface, it had the appeal of inclusivity and a grand centenary celebration for the 2030 tournament.
However, the opposition that emerged was swift, strong, and multi-faceted. First, the FIFA Council, the key decision-making body, was internally united against it, citing sporting and commercial risks. An insider confirmed the plan had no chance of passing a vote.
Second, powerful confederation heads, led by UEFA’s Aleksander Ceferin and Concacaf’s Victor Montagliani, took the opposition public. Their roles as FIFA vice-presidents gave them a powerful platform to frame the debate as one of quality versus quantity.
This combination of internal consensus and public pressure created a political environment in which the proposal could not survive. Even Infantino, known for his expansionist tendencies, was left with no room to maneuver. The politics of “no” proved more powerful than the push for “more,” signaling a potential new era of caution and consensus-building at FIFA.