FIFA Goes Crazy FIFA China Money, Considering an increase of 64 countries participating in the 2030 World Cup

Mar 08, 2025

FIFA's greed is likely to eventually turn the World Cup into a deformed one.

It plans to significantly lower the World Cup door as it seeks to earn huge profits in the huge Chinese market. It is considering doubling the number of countries participating in the finals from 32 to 64. It is interpreted as a measure for China, which cannot advance to the finals with its skills.

The New York Times, a U.S. media outlet, said on the 7th (Korean time) 'FIFA is considering increasing the number of participants in the finals of the 2030 World Cup from 32 to 64. The move will be a one-off measure to mark the 100th anniversary of the World Cup,' it reported. It is a shocking story that shakes the foundation of the World Cup.

There are many ways to celebrate the centenary. However, the idea of celebrating the 100th anniversary by increasing the number of countries participating in the finals is not immediately convincing. Limiting the number of countries that have qualified for the finals has been the most basic and key means to raise the status and value of the World Cup.

Each country makes numerous efforts for years to decades to win a ticket to the finals. It is a method of trying to raise the level of domestic soccer by mobilizing all of its time, funds, and human resources, and winning tickets to the finals by competing for the skills that have been strengthened through this. Just making it to the World Cup finals is a great pride.

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However, suddenly doubling the number of tickets to the finals is only a result of undermining the efforts each country has made so far. Therefore, the number of countries that advanced to the finals has always been strictly maintained. From the 1998 France World Cup to the 2022 Qatar World Cup, there have been 32 countries.

Then, the number of countries increased to 48 ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North Korea, China and the U.S. There was a lot of debate and criticism before this decision came out. However, in the end, 48 countries will advance to the finals from the 2026 World Cup.

But FIFA went one step further here. It plans to distribute tickets to 64 countries at the 2030 World Cup.

British media outlet Sky Sports is concerned about FIFA's plan. Even now, he pointed out that he is overloaded by the expansion of the number of games. Once the number of countries advancing to the finals increases, the number of games for each team also increases. It is a burden for players who have overlapping professional seasons.

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Despite such many problems, it is not clear why FIFA is trying to increase the number of countries that qualify for the 2030 World Cup to 64. However, many experts point out that the move stems from FIFA's desire for money. It aims for various profits generated in the process of significantly increasing the number of countries participating in the finals.

In particular, it is pointed out that the increase in the number of countries that advance to the finals is aimed at considering some countries that have repeatedly suffered setbacks in World Cup qualifiers. Specifically, countries with huge populations and economic power, such as China and India. If these countries are involved, they can easily expect greater profits.

As a result, FIFA's plan to increase the number of countries that advance to the finals is evaluated as a measure aimed at the Chinese market and 'China Money'. Some believe that Chinese soccer moved FIFA to make the World Cup finals in a different way because it is still unlikely that it will reach the World Cup finals with its skills.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.