Based on
Wikipedia, the current number of countries is 194 countries. It is inconceivable if finally, FIFA continues to increase the number of World Cup participants, meaning that there is no more pride for countries that qualify because their chances are even greater and competition is very likely to be less competitive.
It has been debated that FIFA is becoming an organization with a money orientation rather than developing football properly, unfortunately, there is not much that can be done and when they make many changes that focus on getting more money, many countries still desire to be the organizer of the world cup so they don't mind even though they are seen being used because being able to play in the World Cup until now is a pride for many national teams, especially when they understand that the opportunity to get it is difficult if they have to go through qualification, so the shortcut is to become a host by investing a lot of money.
Current update, FIFA have 211 national associations as their member and FIFA World Cup 2026 with 48 participants seems one-third of the total number of FIFA members. FIFA have plan with added participants in FIFA World Cup 2026 almost several years although their reason give chance for national teams less participants in World Cup. I think money and sponsorship is the reason why FIFA agree with the addition 48 participants from 32 national teams.
Its not stop yet with many change happen later exactly FIFA World Cup is most profitable event, rumor with FIFA have planning with World Cup play each two years than usually every four years. Depend on FIFA member association will agree with this crazy ideas or not although have many players disagree what want to do by FIFA.