Credit: Sam Hodde/Getty Images

(CNN)-- FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that FIFA will study increasing the number of teams participating in the World Cup after the current edition.

The 2026 World Cup saw 48 teams instead of 32, resulting in 40 additional matches.

Cape Verde was one of the most prominent teams to appear in the tournament for the first time, having drawn with Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Uruguay in the group stage before losing to defending champion Argentina in the round of 32.

In statements reported by Eurosport on Sunday, Infantino said: 'A tournament with 64 teams is certainly an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup.'

He added: 'Every country should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup. You can see that the quality of the teams is very high, and it is rising more and more around the world.'

He continued: 'If small countries are not given the opportunity to participate in the World Cup, they will lack the incentive to continue improving.'

Last year, Uruguayan Football Association President Ignacio Alonso called for a 64-team World Cup during a FIFA Council meeting.

The 2030 World Cup will be held in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with some matches taking place in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to mark the 100th anniversary of these countries hosting the tournament.