Hislop opposes further expansion of the World Cup tournament

Former England forward Paul Hislop has publicly condemned FIFA’s proposal to increase the World Cup to 64 teams after 2026. He warned that expanding the tournament would dilute its quality and limit opportunities for emerging talent.

Hislop argues the current 48‑team format provides a balanced representation across continents and maintains competitive integrity. Speaking at a UEFA‑organized press conference, he urged the governing bodies to reconsider the expansion proposal.