Fifa's 64-team juggernaut is revving its engines and it won't stop until it reaches the finish line of a truly global World Cup. President Gianni Infantino has fired a shot across the bows, hinting at a massive overhaul for the 2030 tournament - a seismic shift that would see the football showpiece expand from its current 48-team format.
The revamped competition would be a blast from the past, with the familiar group stage format making a welcome return. Eighteen groups of four nations would do battle, with the top two teams from each pool progressing to the knockout stages - exactly as we saw in Qatar and Russia. No more mind-bending 'best third-place' scenarios; just straightforward progress for teams and fans alike.
Infantino's vision is crystal clear: a World Cup that truly represents the global football community, rather than just being dominated by Europe and South America. By opening the doors to smaller nations, he believes it'll drive development worldwide - a football revolution that would see more diverse representation on show.
The numbers game would change dramatically too, with an estimated 24 extra matches added to the schedule. Hosting 23 venues across six countries and three continents is already a logistical challenge; accommodating more fixtures would require careful planning. But proponents argue that the widespread infrastructure in place could handle the increased workload.
This isn't just about 2030, though - it's part of Fifa's long-term strategy to make its tournaments bigger and bolder. With Infantino at the helm, 'more is more' seems to be the mantra, and some observers believe that this is just the beginning. Could we see a truly global World Cup in 2034, involving all 211 member nations? The future is looking bright - but it's also looking very full.