FIFA President Gianni Infantino said this week that a proposal to expand the World Cup finals from 48 to 64 teams will be formally reviewed by the organization’s relevant commissioner once the current 2026 tournament concludes, opening a new debate over the future scale of global soccer’s biggest event even before this year’s edition has crowned a champion.

Infantino discussed the potential expansion in an interview with Swiss outlet Blue Sports, saying the next phase of growth for the tournament could be evaluated in time for the 2030 World Cup, which is set to mark the competition’s 100th anniversary. That edition is already scheduled to be held across six countries, with Morocco, Portugal and Spain serving as primary hosts and Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay each staging a single commemorative match to honor the tournament’s origins in Uruguay in 1930.

The current 2026 World Cup, being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, marked the tournament’s first expansion to 48 teams, up from the 32-team format used since 1998. Under the new structure, 12 groups of four teams sent their top two finishers, along with the eight best third-place teams, into an expanded round of 32, pushing the total number of matches from 64 up to 104. Infantino has called the 48-team experiment a success, pointing to figures showing teams from every confederation scored goals and picked up points during the group stage, and noting that nine of Africa’s 10 participating nations advanced out of the group phase. He has argued that widening the tournament’s field gives smaller footballing nations a realistic chance to dream of World Cup qualification, which he says helps sustain development and investment in the sport globally.

A formal competition format for a potential 64-team tournament has not yet been determined. The most straightforward structural option would organize the field into 16 groups of four teams, with winners and runners-up from each group advancing to a round of 32, producing 96 group-stage matches and 32 knockout matches for a total of 128 matches, 24 more than the current tournament. Implementing that format would require FIFA to reassess the overall tournament schedule, player rest periods, the number of host stadiums needed and the travel distances required of participating teams, particularly given the format under consideration would already span six host nations across multiple continents in 2030.

News of Infantino’s comments quickly spread through Chinese soccer media and online forums, where fans and commentators began speculating about how many additional qualifying slots the Asian confederation might receive under an expanded format. Asia currently holds eight direct qualification slots for the World Cup finals, plus one intercontinental playoff spot; in the current 2026 cycle, Iraq advanced through that playoff route, bringing Asia’s total representation to nine teams. Some Chinese outlets have speculated that Asia’s overall allotment could grow to roughly 11 slots under a 64-team format, a projection that generated significant excitement online even though FIFA has not released any formal continental distribution plan tied to the proposed expansion.

That excitement reflects China’s prolonged absence from the World Cup stage. The Chinese men’s national team has not qualified for the tournament finals since co-hosting the 2002 World Cup alongside South Korea and Japan. Despite the expansion to 48 teams for the current cycle, which significantly increased Asia’s direct qualification slots, China still failed to secure a spot. According to FIFA’s official world rankings released June 11, China sits 91st globally, a position Chinese media outlets have calculated as somewhere between 13th and 15th within Asia alone, depending on the specific ranking methodology and timing used. Even under a hypothetical scenario granting Asia 11 or 12 total slots at a 64-team World Cup, China would not automatically qualify given its current standing.

The Asian nations currently ranked ahead of China remain tightly bunched near the top of the confederation, led by Japan, Iran, South Korea and Australia, followed closely by Uzbekistan, Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, with Indonesia, Bahrain and Thailand occupying a similar competitive tier to China. Analysts note that even with additional qualification slots on the table, the outcome of a single qualifying match could still meaningfully shift the competitive order among these closely matched sides.

China’s struggles were not resolved by the current cycle’s expansion either. The final round of Asian World Cup qualifying grew to 18 teams for the 2026 cycle, with additional qualification pathways opened for teams finishing third and fourth in their groups, yet China still failed to advance through that broader structure. Analysts have noted that a larger overall field does not substitute for improvements in the national team’s core fundamentals, including defensive organization, scoring output, youth development pipelines and domestic league competitiveness.

For other established Asian powers such as South Korea and Japan, the calculus surrounding a potential expansion differs considerably. Both nations have focused less on qualification itself and more on how an enlarged field might affect overall competitiveness once teams reach the finals, with some analysts cautioning that a larger tournament could reduce the intensity of qualifying competition while widening the gap between top-tier teams, who would benefit from extended tournament schedules, and lower-ranked nations gaining wider access to the finals for the first time.

Commercial considerations are also expected to factor heavily into FIFA’s eventual decision. A jump to 128 total matches would meaningfully expand broadcasting rights, advertising inventory and ticket sales opportunities, even as it raises the operational costs and logistical complexity of staging a tournament spread across six host countries in 2030.

With FIFA’s total membership standing at 211 national federations, a 64-team World Cup would mean roughly three of every 10 member nations would qualify for the finals, a shift that would open the tournament’s door to countries for whom a single World Cup appearance has remained a decades-long ambition, while raising fresh questions about how the competition’s overall prestige and quality might be affected by such a significant expansion.

Infantino’s comments this week represent only the opening of that conversation rather than a formal decision. With the 2026 World Cup final still to be played, FIFA has indicated that a formal review of the 64-team proposal, including continental qualification allocations and competition format, will follow only after this year’s tournament concludes, leaving China and other hopeful nations to wait for further clarity on a plan that, for now, remains entirely theoretical.

It said no staff or animals were hurt after a blaze broke out at a nearby electricity substation

An aquarium in Dorset has temporarily closed to visitors after a fire broke out at a nearby electricity substation on Sunday.

Sealife Weymouth remains shut as “a precaution” on Monday (July 13) although no buildings were affected.

In a statement, the Merlin-owned attraction said no animals, staff or visitors were hurt and that it would reopen to the public “once it has been confirmed it is safe to do so”.

“If you were due to visit us on this day, please contact us on 01305 761070 to rearrange your visit or request a refund,” Sealife said. “We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.”

Emergency services were called to Preston Beach Road at 3.45pm on Sunday after a reports the substation was on fire and flames had spread to nearby trees and bushes.

A total of 12 firefighters used two hose reels, two main jets and foam to extinguish the fire, which reportedly also caused power to be lost to around 100 nearby properties.

Firefighters remained on the scene beyond 7.30pm on Sunday, for several hours dampening down.

A spokesperson for SeaLife said: “Following a fire at an electricity substation on land adjacent, the aquarium will remain closed on Monday. The fire was contained to an outside area, and did not spread to the aquarium buildings.

“No employees or guests were harmed by this incident, and all animals remain safe and well in our care. The aquarium will re-open to guests once it has been confirmed it is safe to do so.”

It comes as parts of the UK face an “exceptional” risk for wildfires over the next few days amid record-breaking temperatures.

The UK Health Security Agency’s amber and yellow heat health alerts, which were due to be lifted on Sunday, are now in effect until 9pm BST on July 15.

Temperatures of 35°C or higher have now been recorded in May, June and July of the same year for the first time in the UK weather record, as heatwave conditions are expected to continue this week, according to the Met Office.

A National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) spokesperson said: “When the weather stays hot and dry, it only takes one spark to start a wildfire. What can begin as a small fire can spread incredibly quickly, putting people, homes, wildlife and our countryside at risk.

“We’re asking everyone to take extra care outdoors, whether that’s avoiding disposable barbecues in the countryside, parks or moorlands, or making sure cigarettes are fully extinguished. A few simple actions can make a huge difference and help prevent fires before they start.”

The NBA offseason has already produced a wave of blockbuster trades, but several major storylines remain unresolved as free agency and Summer League action continue in Las Vegas. Here are seven of the latest trade rumors and developments shaping the league heading into the 2026-27 season.

1. Kawhi Leonard’s trade to Toronto is on hold pending a league investigation. Leonard was initially traded from the LA Clippers to the Toronto Raptors on June 30 in a deal that would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks and additional draft compensation to Los Angeles. The trade was expected to be finalized after the league’s moratorium lifted July 6, but both teams issued statements saying the deal can only be completed if Toronto’s ownership group assumes the risk of penalties tied to an ongoing NBA investigation into whether Leonard’s endorsement arrangement with sponsor Aspiration constituted salary cap circumvention. Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the situation before Game 1 of the NBA Finals, saying he hoped for a swift resolution. “I think we’re close to the point now where I think we need to wrap this up because you also need finality,” Silver said. “Their team has to understand what the situation is they’re going to be operating under, and so do the other 29 teams.”

2. LeBron James remains undecided, and his choice is holding up several other rosters. James informed the Los Angeles Lakers he would not return for a ninth season, and as of this week his free agency has stretched well beyond his own past decision timelines, including his 2010 move to Miami and his 2014 return to Cleveland, both of which were announced by July 11. Teams including Cleveland, Denver, Golden State, Miami, Minnesota and Philadelphia have each kept at least two roster spots open specifically to accommodate James, according to ESPN. His longtime agent, Rich Paul, has said the decision will ultimately come down to fit rather than money. “If it’s about happiness, because if it’s the most money, then it’s not necessarily the most happiness,” Paul said on his “Game Over” podcast, adding, “As you’re going through this process, I’m saying to LeBron, ‘You really have to think this through.’ Everything looks great in July. Everything looks great on paper. But you got to be very careful with that.”

3. The Warriors’ pursuit of James may hinge on landing Anthony Davis. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Golden State is not viewed as a top contender for James unless the team can first pull off a trade for Davis, James’ former Lakers teammate. Complicating that pursuit is forward Jimmy Butler, whose $57 million expiring contract would likely need to be included in any Davis package. The Warriors have publicly told Butler he will not be dealt, though Butler is separately expected to be sidelined into at least the winter as he recovers from January ACL surgery, limiting outside interest in acquiring him regardless.

4. Jalen Duren’s future with the Detroit Pistons remains unresolved. Duren and the Pistons have yet to agree to a new contract as of this week, with league sources indicating a sign-and-trade remains a possibility if the two sides cannot reach an agreement on an extension. Duren’s situation has continued to draw attention from rival front offices monitoring Detroit’s roster decisions as the team looks to build around its young core following an active offseason that already saw the Pistons trade away veteran forward Caris LeVert.

5. Nikola Jokic is choosing to wait a full year before signing his next contract, a decision that will directly affect Denver’s trade calculus. Jokic became extension-eligible in mid-June for a four-year, $278 million deal, but is instead expected to wait until next offseason to sign a five-year, $359.5 million contract, which would become the largest deal in NBA history. Speaking in Serbian following a FIBA World Cup qualifying game, Jokic reaffirmed his desire to stay in Denver long term. “My idea and desire is to stay in Denver. I’ll probably sign next year,” Jokic said. “My desire is to play the rest of my life in Denver.”

6. New Orleans is fielding steady interest in forward Trey Murphy III, though a deal appears increasingly unlikely. Murphy has remained a frequent name in trade rumors, but one league executive told Heavy that acquiring him would likely require an offer similar to the four first-round picks Memphis received in the Desmond Bane trade, though that asking price has reportedly come down somewhat in recent weeks. Despite the interest, momentum suggests the Pelicans are more likely to keep Murphy on their roster heading into the coming season rather than complete a deal before training camp.

7. Evan Mobley’s long-term fit in Cleveland could be reshaped depending on where LeBron James ultimately signs. The Cavaliers, one of the teams still in the mix for James, carry an expensive roster built around Mobley’s four-year, $223 million extension, and analysts have noted that a James addition would likely reduce Mobley’s offensive touches given James’ need for a significant share of the ball. Some league observers believe Cleveland could ultimately look to move Mobley for a substantial return if the roster fit no longer makes sense, particularly if the team shifts into a more explicit win-now mode built around James.

Beyond these seven storylines, the broader offseason has already reshaped several rosters significantly. The Milwaukee Bucks completed a blockbuster trade sending two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat for four players, four first-round picks and a pick swap, while the Boston Celtics traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and additional draft compensation. The Memphis Grizzlies also moved on from Ja Morant, sending the guard to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a broader teardown of the young core that once won 56 games together, while the Charlotte Hornets dealt LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

With Summer League continuing in Las Vegas and several marquee free agents, including James, still unsigned, league insiders expect additional trade activity in the coming days as front offices continue positioning their rosters ahead of the 2026-27 season, particularly once James’ decision finally resolves the logjam currently holding up multiple front offices around the league.