FIFA president Gianni Infantino has joked that Italy might finally qualify for the World Cup if the competition is expanded to 64 teams.
Speaking to Brazilian broadcaster CazeTV on Thursday before the World Cup opener in Mexico City, Infantino said FIFA has discussed expanding the 2030 tournament from 48 to 64 teams. "Maybe Italy qualify with 64 teams, or we could even go up to 208 teams," he added with a laugh.
The four-time world champions have failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cups — Russia 2018, Qatar 2022, and now North America 2026, the first edition to feature 48 teams. Italy's absence from this year's tournament was confirmed when they lost a playoff to North Macedonia in 2022.
Infantino's comments came as he entered Mexico City's Azteca Stadium ahead of the opening match, which Mexico won 2-0 against South Africa. The match kicked off the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The proposal to expand to 64 teams is being pushed by South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) president Alejandro Dominguez of Paraguay. The idea is to mark the centenary of the first World Cup, held in Uruguay in 1930. Part of the 2030 tournament will be held in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay as a tribute to history, but the main hosts are Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
Infantino was cautious about the expansion. "We first have to see how this first World Cup with 48 teams goes," he said.
Italy's sports minister, Andrea Abodi, said he was "perplexed" by Infantino's comments. Abodi told media he wanted to speak to Infantino directly. "Given that there's a big distance between Italy and Mexico, I'd rather speak to him on the telephone to understand (what he meant)," Abodi said. "I'd like to hear from him directly."
The joke lands on a painful reality for Italian football. The Azzurri have won the World Cup four times — second only to Brazil's five — but haven't qualified since 2014. Their last tournament appearance ended in the group stage. Since then, they've won the European Championship in 2021 but still couldn't book a World Cup ticket.
Under the current 48-team format, Europe gets 16 slots — the most of any confederation. Even that wasn't enough for Italy. Expanding to 64 teams would likely give Europe more places, making qualification easier for struggling giants like Italy.
But Infantino's joke also highlights a serious debate inside FIFA. Critics argue that expanding the World Cup dilutes the quality of the tournament. Supporters say it grows the game globally and gives more nations a chance to compete on the biggest stage.
The 2030 World Cup will be the first to be hosted across three continents. The centenary matches in South America will be symbolic — Uruguay, the first champion, will host one game, and Argentina and Paraguay will also stage matches. The bulk of the tournament will run through Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
For now, Italian fans will have to watch the 2026 World Cup from home. Whether they get a ticket in 2030 may depend on how serious FIFA is about that 64-team joke.