FIFA is quietly probing whether the men's World Cup should balloon to 64 teams for the 2030 centennial edition, a move that would reshape the tournament's structure and economics. The governing body has put out a tender to hire an independent agency to study the feasibility, according to an internal document reviewed by Reuters. Main Developments The research brief explicitly asks an outside firm to determine "whether and how" expanding from 48 to 64 national teams, beginning with the 2030 edition, would affect the "tournament proposition." That evaluation must weigh potential upsides against risks like competition dilution, calendar congestion, operational complexity, and market saturation. Selection of the agency is set for August 14, with a tight four-week deadline to deliver the analysis by September 11. The brief stresses that the final recommendation must show not just whether a 64-team format can generate incremental value, but whether that value is sustainable. Read also: 3 key questions as Meta India chief faces police case over Modi videos This accelerated study follows FIFA's controversial plan to create a $20-billion subsidiary to run the World Cup and other events with external investors. That proposal has drawn sharp criticism and prompted UEFA to boycott FIFA events. Background South America's CONMEBOL first proposed a 64-team World Cup last year as part of its bid to host the centennial tournament. The 2026 edition, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, will already expand from 32 to 48 teams, adding four groups and an extra knockout round. The 2030 World Cup will be jointly staged by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay each hosting one match to mark the tournament's 100th anniversary. That structure was designed to celebrate the event's history while spreading matches across three continents. Why It Matters Expanding to 64 teams would fundamentally alter the World Cup's competitive balance and commercial value. More nations would get a chance to participate in the centennial celebration, but critics worry about diluted quality and a bloated schedule that could strain players and broadcasters alike. The decision also intersects with FIFA's push to attract private investment through its new subsidiary. A larger tournament could boost revenue potential, yet it might also complicate the financial model that investors are being asked to back. What's Next FIFA will choose the independent agency on August 14, and the selected firm must deliver its findings by September 11. The analysis will likely inform FIFA's council when it decides whether to approve the 64-team format for 2030. Meanwhile, the backlash over FIFA's investment plans continues to simmer, with UEFA's boycott and public rebukes from other confederations signaling that the governance and financial direction of world football remains contentious.