Below the 80th common congress of ConmebolPresident of the South American Football Association, Alejandro Domínguez asked FIFA to extend to 64 number of participating teams in the World Cup 2030.
Through a speech during the event, which was sent through the unit’s platforms, and which was done remotely with the member associations, the holder explained that the proposal has an exceptional character because The tournament will celebrate 100 years of the first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930.
“We are convinced that the celebration of the centenary will be something unique, because only once is 100 years old. And that is why we propose the only time, to implement this anniversary with 64 teamson three simultaneous continents. So that all countries have the opportunity to live a world experience, and so that no one on this planet is left outside this party who, even if it is played everywhere, is our party, ” Domínguez explained in the session’s opening speech.
The 2030 World Cup will be organized by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with the special participation of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguaywhich will host the first matches in their zones in stadions in their countries. Currently, the format approved for the World Cup 2026, which will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada, 48 teams, an expansion that is promoted under the mandate of FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino is considering.
It is important to remember that a few weeks ago the initiative was presented at a meeting with a video conference, when the President of the Uruguayan Soccer Association (AUF), Ignacio Alonso, read a prepared speech in English. According to New York TimesThe The proposal generated surprise among the participants, but was received with interest from FIFA. The international organization confirmed in a statement that “the idea was recognized since FIFA has an obligation to analyze all proposals from one of the members in its advice”.
A centenary
The World Cup 2030 will be the first in the story played on three continents and will celebrate the centenary to Montevideo in 1930, when Uruguay was crowned champion after defeating Argentina 4-2. If the increase to 64 teams is approved, the 2030 tournament would change the qualified phases and influence the general organization of the championship.
In South America, for example, seven of Ten teams will have a guaranteed quota for VM 2026. Since his arrival in the 2016 Presidency, Infantino promoted structural reforms in football, including the creation of a new FIFA club -World Cup that will debut in 2025 with 32 teams.
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The growth of football in South America
In addition to the request that the World Cup be held in five years, Domínguez also referred to the growth of football on the continent. “When we say that our growth exceeded 400%, we are not just talking about income. We talk about development and a distribution of resources that benefit all our football. The real growth is not in what we get, but in what we give, “ He commented.
In that sense, the holder of Conmebol had already commented during the drawing of Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana, the impact that the best income had at the clubs. “Today we deliver more than $ 302 million, An increase of 426%”. In addition, he emphasized the extension of the TV broadcast of the tournaments. “Libertadores and Sudamericana 2024 accumulated more than 220 million viewers in Latin America, and For the first time, both finals were broadcast in 194 countries, Including China, a destination we had never reached ”.
And he announced an increase in prices for the masters for the continental tournaments. “This year we will pay $ 24 million, an increase with regard to the $ 23 million we delivered last year. But this will not stay here. We will continue to grow, and we will also increase the prize for the winner of Sudamericana by $ 500,000, which corresponds to 6.5 million”.
