Indonesia Eyes 2030 World Cup Spot as FIFA Mulls 64‑Team Expansion

FIFA is reviewing a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 national teams, a move championed by President Gianni Infantino and backed by CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez. The expansion would see the tournament staged mainly in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to mark the centenary.

The larger field is seen as a boost for emerging football nations, especially Indonesia. The Indonesian team, coached by John Herdman, is currently ranked 118th by FIFA, unchanged after the latest rankings released on 20 July 2026. Analysts such as Coach Justinus Laksana argue that with Herdman's guidance and the recent naturalisation of U.S. forward Mitchell Baker, Indonesia could be competitive in the Asian qualifying round if the 64‑team format is adopted.

Domínguez posted on X that the 2030 edition “will be in our homes” and highlighted the opportunity for countries like Indonesia to fulfill their World Cup dreams. While FIFA has not yet confirmed the format, the ongoing discussion has raised optimism among Indonesian officials and fans that the nation’s chances of qualifying for its first World Cup could improve dramatically.