On June 14, 2026, Algeria and 12 other African football federations issued a joint statement rejecting FIFA's plan to expand the World Cup to 48 teams starting in 2030. The statement, addressed to UEFA President Aleksander Δeferin, argues that the expansion would dilute the quality of the tournament and place undue strain on host nations.
The federations, including those from Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa, expressed concerns over the increased number of matches and the logistical challenges. They called for a more inclusive decision-making process within FIFA, emphasizing that African nations were not adequately consulted.
FIFA's proposal, first announced in 2017, aims to increase the tournament from 32 to 48 teams. The African federations' opposition marks a significant rift, as many African countries had previously supported expansion to gain more representation. The statement did not specify alternative proposals but urged FIFA to reconsider.
