### CONCACAF President Rejects 64-Team World Cup Proposal for 2030 The proposal to expand the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 teams, initially put forth by CONMEBOL, has faced significant opposition from various football leaders, notably CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani. Montagliani's rejection of the plan highlights concerns regarding the potential disruption to the football ecosystem, which could adversely affect national teams, clubs, and players globally. The proposal, which would double the number of matches from the previous World Cup in Qatar, has been met with skepticism and criticism from multiple confederations, including UEFA. ### Breakdown of the Opposition to the 64-Team World Cup Proposal 1. **Concerns Over Format and Logistics** - Montagliani has labeled the 64-team format as a "nonstarter," emphasizing that it could complicate the tournament's logistics and scheduling [https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/concacaf-president-opposes-64-team-world-cup-2030-proposal]. - The proposed increase would result in 128 matches, raising questions about player fatigue and the quality of competition [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6280478/2025/04/15/world-cup-64-teams-2030-concacaf]. 2. **Alignment with Other Confederations** - Montagliani's stance aligns with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, who has also criticized the expansion as a "bad idea" [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2030-concacaf-expansion-64-teams-b2733456.html]. - Other football leaders have echoed similar sentiments, indicating a broader consensus against the proposal among major football confederations [https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/concacaf-president-opposes-world-cup-expansion-2025-04-15]. 3. **Impact on National Teams and Players** - The expansion could disrupt the existing football ecosystem, affecting how national teams prepare and compete, as well as the overall player welfare [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3345963-concerns-rise-over-proposed-64-team-world-cup-in-2030]. - Montagliani has expressed that the focus should remain on maintaining the integrity and competitiveness of the tournament rather than merely increasing the number of participants [https://www.dailysabah.com/sports/football/concacaf-president-pours-cold-water-on-64-team-world-cup-plan]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Current World Cup Format**: The last World Cup in Qatar featured 32 teams and 64 matches, which was already a significant increase from previous tournaments [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6280478/2025/04/15/world-cup-64-teams-2030-concacaf]. - **Proposed Changes**: The 64-team format would introduce 128 matches, effectively doubling the number of games played, which raises logistical and operational challenges [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/apr/15/world-cup-expansion-64-teams-proposal]. - **Historical Context**: The 2030 World Cup is set to be a centennial celebration, and the proposal aims to include more nations, but the feasibility and implications of such an expansion are under scrutiny [https://www.apnews.com/article/fifa-world-cup-2030-conmebol-alejandro-dominguez-16fd9f86e5e743b2a119b1e3e8089aa1]. ### Conclusion: The Future of the 2030 World Cup Remains Uncertain In summary, **the proposal to expand the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 teams has been met with significant opposition from key football leaders, particularly CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani**. The concerns raised focus on the potential logistical challenges, the impact on player welfare, and the overall integrity of the tournament. 1. **Opposition from Key Figures**: Montagliani's rejection reflects a broader consensus among football leaders against the expansion [https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/concacaf-president-opposes-world-cup-expansion-2025-04-15]. 2. **Logistical Challenges**: The proposed increase in matches raises questions about the feasibility of the tournament format [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6280478/2025/04/15/world-cup-64-teams-2030-concacaf]. 3. **Focus on Integrity**: The emphasis remains on maintaining the quality and competitiveness of the World Cup rather than merely increasing participation [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3345963-concerns-rise-over-proposed-64-team-world-cup-in-2030]. As discussions continue, the future of the World Cup format remains a contentious topic within the global football community.