Super Eagles World Cup hopes could change if FIFA approves plans to expand the tournament to 64 teams, a proposal that has sparked debate across football.
Although FIFA’s plan to expand the World Cup to 64 teams has sparked debate among football supporters and officials.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the idea will be discussed after the 2026 World Cup.
The proposal comes after FIFA introduced a 48-team format for the 2026 tournament. The competition previously featured 32 teams.
Infantino said FIFA must create a tournament that gives more countries a chance to compete.
“When you organise such a tournament, it is important to design it for the whole world, not just for Europe and South America,” Infantino said, according to L’Équipe.
The FIFA president added that every nation should have the opportunity to dream of reaching the World Cup.
FIFA’s World Cup Expansion Plan Faces Debate
FIFA believes a bigger World Cup can give more countries a chance to compete at the highest level.
The organisation has argued that football continues to grow across different regions.
However, some football figures have questioned the idea of adding more teams.
Critics believe a 64-team tournament could affect the quality of matches.
They have also raised concerns about fixture congestion and the challenge of maintaining the World Cup’s standard.
Meanwhile, supporters of the expansion believe more nations deserve a place in football’s biggest competition.
Why Nigeria Could Benefit From A Bigger World Cup
Nigeria is among the countries watching FIFA’s plans closely.
The Super Eagles missed the 2022 and 2026 World Cups after failing to qualify from Africa.
Before that, Nigeria had become one of Africa’s regular World Cup teams.
The country reached the tournament six times between 1994 and 2018.
The 2026 World Cup has already increased Africa’s chances, with the continent receiving more qualification places.
A further expansion could create more opportunities for African teams in future editions.
Super Eagles Face Pressure Ahead Of Future Qualifiers
Although a bigger World Cup could create more chances, Nigeria would still need to qualify on the pitch.
The Super Eagles will continue competing against Africa’s top teams for a place at football’s biggest tournament.
Teams such as Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Ghana remain among Nigeria’s major rivals in African football.
FIFA has not approved the 64-team format yet.
The proposal will go through further discussions before any final decision is made.
