Gianni Infantino's Plan: A Threat of Major Conflict. Jürgen Klopp's Nightmare Could Become Reality

Following Julian Nagelsmann's departure as national team coach, Jürgen Klopp is the leading candidate to take over the role. He is expected to sign a contract with the German Football Association (DFB) until the 2030 World Cup.

However, before that, he might face a debate about another fundamental change to the tournament's format. Gianni Infantino, in an interview with the Swiss portal blue Sport, admitted that FIFA would consider expanding it to as many as 64 teams after the championship concludes.

“After the tournament, we must seriously address this,” stated the 56-year-old official, justifying his assertion by saying that not only Europe and South America, but the entire world, should dream of participating in football's biggest stage.

This vision, however, faces opposition from the former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool manager, who expressed his disapproval last year. In an interview with The Athletic, he admitted that when he first heard about the possibility of further expanding the tournament, his reaction was unequivocal.

“I heard about it. I didn't even want to think about it. Honestly, when I saw it, I had only one thought in my head: 'Oh no, I'm not getting into this.' The best footballers in the world already have no break. In no other area of life would anyone allow this.

Imagine telling the best artist to perform every night until they dropped from exhaustion, and then you'd make excuses: 'Sorry, they lost concentration,'” Jürgen Klopp said in September 2025.

“But whatever I say, I might as well be talking to my microwave. The effect will be exactly the same,” the 59-year-old German added in frustration, implying that FIFA's financial interests often drown out the voices of the coaches themselves.

The FIFA World Cup already expanded from 32 to 48 participants in 2026. However, it seems Infantino won't stop at this number, as a 64-team championship would offer him several advantages. If more countries participated and more matches were played, it would also mean increased financial revenue for FIFA.