FIFA weighs 64-team 2030 World Cup, boosting broadcast rights prospects
FIFA is examining a potential 64-team World Cup for 2030, possibly across six host nations with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay each hosting an opening match to mark the 100th anniversary, while the rest would be in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. A 64-team format would use 16 groups of four and 128 games, expanding broadcast inventory and likely lifting rights fees toward the $1.5–$2 billion range. Interest is expected from Fox, NBCUniversal, Netflix, YouTube, Apple, and Disney, with potential for splitting rights among multiple partners. A decision would need to come soon, since qualifying schedules for CONCACAF/UEFA are currently built around a 48-team field.