FIFA chief hints at 64-team World Cup expansion — a lifeline for China

China, ranked 91st in the world by FIFA, has had its World Cup qualification hopes rekindled.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Monday that expanding the tournament to 64 teams is "certainly something to be discussed through the relevant committees once this North American edition is over," in an interview with Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport.

Chinese media quickly gave the remarks prominent coverage.

NetEase called it "hopeful news," noting that China currently sits 91st in the FIFA world rankings and 15th in Asia.

Sina Sports said the primary driver behind any expansion would be commercial appeal and revenue growth, and predicted that Chinese football could be among the main beneficiaries of an enlarged field.

Asia currently holds 8.5 berths in the World Cup finals. An expansion to 64 teams would roughly double that allocation, potentially allowing teams ranked as low as 16th in Asian qualifying to advance. China failed to qualify for the current 48-team tournament in North America.

Infantino cited motivation for smaller footballing nations as the main justification for expansion.

"It is important that the World Cup is organized for the whole world, not just Europe or South America. Every country should be able to dream of participating," he said. "If you don't give smaller nations the chance to play in the World Cup, they will lose the motivation to improve."

A 64-team format would increase the total number of matches to 128 — double the 64 played under the 32-team format used through 2022. FIFA's ruling council approved the expansion from 32 to 48 teams in 2017. CONMEBOL, South America's football confederation, last year formally proposed moving to 64 teams starting with the 2030 World Cup, which marks the tournament's centenary. No decision has been made.

The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco. To mark the tournament's 100th anniversary, three opening matches will be held in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Uruguay hosted the inaugural World Cup in 1930. Any final decision rests with the FIFA Council.