CONCACAF president opposes 64-team World Cup 2030 proposal

CONCACAF president opposes 64-team World Cup 2030 proposal
CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani is interviewed for TV before the CONCACAF Nations League final between Mexico and Panama at SoFi Stadium. (Reuters)
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Updated 15 April 2025

CONCACAF president opposes 64-team World Cup 2030 proposal

CONCACAF president opposes 64-team World Cup 2030 proposal
  • Montegliani: I don’t believe expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams is the right move for the tournament itself and the broader football ecosystem
  • The CONMEBOL plan would have a long way to go for approval, with the 48-team 2026 edition already expanded from the 2022 tournament, when 32 countries took part

NEW YORK: A 64-team World Cup in 2030 should not be considered, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has said, joining some other confederations in opposing a plan presented by CONMEBOL.

CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez last week officially proposed staging the 2030 World Cup with 64 teams, up from the 48 set to take part in next year’s edition, with the tournament to be hosted largely by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

The opening matches will take place in Uruguay, where the first World Cup was hosted in 1930, along with Argentina and Paraguay.

“I don’t believe expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams is the right move for the tournament itself and the broader football ecosystem, from national teams to club competitions, leagues, and players,” Montagliani told ESPN.

CONCACAF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The CONMEBOL plan would have a long way to go for approval, with the 48-team 2026 edition already expanded from the 2022 tournament, when 32 countries took part.

The 2026 tournament is set to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the US.

“We haven’t even kicked off the new 48-team World Cup yet, so personally, I don’t think that expanding to 64 teams should even be on the table,” said Montagliani.

His comments echoed complaints by UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin, who this month voiced opposition to the idea, and Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who told AFP he fears expansion would lead to chaos.


Riyadh to host PIF Saudi International as part of Riyadh Season 2025

Riyadh to host PIF Saudi International as part of Riyadh Season 2025
Updated 10 November 2025

Riyadh to host PIF Saudi International as part of Riyadh Season 2025

Riyadh to host PIF Saudi International as part of Riyadh Season 2025
  • Joaquin Niemann returns to Saudi capital to defend title he won last year
  • Dustin Johnson, a two-time winner of the PIF Saudi International (2021, 2022), will make his sixth appearance at the tournament

RIYADH: Golf Saudi has officially announced the launch of the 2025 PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, a major sporting event taking place as part of Riyadh Season 2025.

This year’s edition brings a new and exceptional twist, with the introduction of the WOW Festival — an immersive celebration combining world-class golf, luxury cars, and live music, offering a unique experience that blends sport, entertainment and culture in one of the highlights of Riyadh Season 2025.

Golf enthusiasts can look forward to seeing some of the sport’s biggest names, including Joaquin Niemann, Tyrrell Hatton, and Dustin Johnson, as they compete in the season finale of the International Series on the Asian Tour.

The PIF Saudi International is likely to be one of the standout experiences of the Riyadh Season 2025.

Ticket sales are now open for fans via Webook.com, with the tournament to be held Nov. 19-22 at Riyadh Golf Club.

Defending champion Niemann will return this November after securing a dramatic victory in a three-way, two-hole playoff last year to claim the title and top the International Series rankings. The 26-year-old has been in dominant form, capturing seven titles in the LIV Golf League, including five this season.

Johnson, a two-time winner of the PIF Saudi International (2021, 2022), will make his sixth appearance at the tournament, while Ryder Cup star Hatton returns after an impressive debut last year, where he finished fifth.

Niemann said: “I’m really looking forward to returning to Riyadh to defend my title at the PIF Saudi International. Last year’s win was a special moment in my career, and the atmosphere at Riyadh Golf Club was incredible. The course sets up really well for my game, and with such a strong field again this year, it’s going to be an exciting challenge.”

Golf Saudi’s vision is to be the catalyst for to become an exceptional golfing nation. In addition to delivering world class events such as the PIF Saudi International, Golf Saudi delivers world-class facilities, operational excellence, and implementation of best practices at its impressive portfolio of events.

The tournament is the last of nine elevated events on The International Series calendar this season. The Asian Tour-sanctioned tournaments provide a direct pathway for players from all over the world into the LIV Golf League. The champion and runner-up of the season-ending International Series Rankings will secure a spot on the 2026 LIV Golf League roster.

This is the second year the tournament will be held at Riyadh Golf Club, the home of Golf Saudi and is the Saudi capital’s premier golf course. Its par-72 championship course is set across 7,434 yards of undulating fairways and has played host to many of the Kingdom’s leading tournaments, including the Saudi Open presented by PIF, the Aramco Team Series Riyadh, and the Aramco Saudi Ladies International.

The PIF Saudi International moved to the Asian Tour circuit in 2022 as part of a new partnership and this year has attracted a stellar family of co-sponsors including Riyadh Season, tournament partners SHG, GIB, Al-Hammadi Hospitals Group, Saddik & Mohamed Attar, and Rolex.

To buy tickets for the PIF Saudi International, please visit www.saudiinternational.com

For more information about the tournament and future Golf Saudi events, visit Golf Saudi.