2026 WORLD CUP: TOURNAMENT TO INCREASE TO 104 MATCHES, 48 TEAMS
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FIFA IS expected to announce a significant expansion for the 2026 World Cup, returning to a four-team group stage with 104 games played across the competition.
The next edition of the Jules Rimet trophy will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico in four years with 48 teams set to compete for the first time, though there has been much talk about a new format with 16 groups featuring three teams.
According to reports, FIFA is reconsidering the proposal in recent months amid concern that it would result in less exciting matches.
According to the Athletic, FIFA will now announce their intention to place four teams in each group, increasing the number of games at the tournament from 64 to 104.
The suggested format would make the World Cup the biggest and longest one ever.
Football’s governing body will confirm the plans at a FIFA Council meeting on Tuesday in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, where chiefs have assembled for their annual congress on Thursday.
The new proposals would see 12 groups of four teams each – with the top two progressing to the knockout rounds. The eight best third-placed teams would then join them in the next stage.
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