Source：REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
[Saba Sports News] Recently, during a joint meeting, FIFA proposed a highly discussed plan to consider expanding the number of teams participating in the World Cup to 64 for the 2030 edition. However, national football associations have differing opinions on this matter, with some supporting and others opposing it. From an economic perspective, having more national teams participating would bring significant financial benefits; more participating teams mean more matches and a longer tournament duration, attracting more viewers and sponsors. Additionally, the co-hosting model would promote tourism and cultural exchange between different countries and regions, injecting new vitality into local economies. However, from a competitive standpoint, this change could also bring negative impacts. Increasing the number of participating teams might lead to a decline in match quality, as some weaker teams may struggle to compete with stronger ones, resulting in less suspense in match outcomes. Furthermore, the co-hosting approach could significantly affect teams due to time zone differences and travel fatigue.