World Cup Expansion to 48 teams ‘Right Number,’ FIFA Chief technical Officer Wenger Declares
LONDON – Arsรจne Wenger, FIFA’s Chief Technical Officer, believes the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026 represents the optimal balance for global football, citing improved competitive parity and the positive impact of youth progress programs in emerging nations. The move, finalized in 2017, will significantly alter the tournament’s structure and provide opportunities for nations previously excluded from the competition.
The expanded format is designed to offer more countries a pathway to the world’s biggest sporting stage, and Wenger contends this is yielding results. He points to the recent qualification of debutants Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan as evidence that focused investment in youth football infrastructure is leveling the playing field. “In fact, we realised that the difference, quality-wise, between the different countries has been reduced,” Wenger stated.
Wenger emphasized that success in football isn’t solely determined by population size or economic strength. He highlighted croatia’s impressive run to the 2018 World Cup final and 2022 semi-final – despite a population of just 3 million – as a prime example. “The best way to know how good you are is to play against somebody who wants to show you that he’s better than you,” Wenger added.
He specifically praised the youth development programs in Uzbekistan and Jordan, noting their recent performances in the AFC Asian Cup were “no coincidence.” FIFA’s research, according to wenger, demonstrates a “100 per cent correlation with the quality of the youth work and the success in the top team.” While some nations, like China and India, haven’t yet fully realized their potential, the trend suggests that strategic investment in youth academies and infrastructure is becoming a key determinant of success on the international stage.