The 2026 World Cup is ready to change into even larger and higher than earlier than, with 104 matches being held as an alternative of the standard 64 video games owing to the expanded format with 48 groups collaborating, as introduced by FIFA Tuesday earlier than their Congress in Kigali, Rwanda.
The 2026 version, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, would be the first version of the quadrennial match, the place 48 groups are taking part. The remaining can be held on July 19.
The new format may even follow drawing 4 groups in a bunch after a proposal for 16 teams of three was shot down over fears of conspiracy within the remaining group sport. However, the variety of teams will improve from eight to 12.
The unique plan for the 2026 version had 80 matches, however FIFA’s council accepted the choice to extend the variety of video games to 104 at a gathering on Tuesday.
Traditionally the highest two groups from every group advance to the final 16, however the 2026 version may even have the eight greatest third-placed groups transferring into the knockout spherical of 32.
“The FIFA Council unanimously approved the proposed amendment to the FIFA World Cup 2026 competition format,” FIFA stated.
“The revised format mitigates the risk of collusion and ensures that all the teams play at least three matches while providing balanced rest time between competing teams.”
The 32-team World Cup in Qatar final 12 months had 64 matches accomplished in 29 days. The final time Mexico (1986) and the U.S. (1994) hosted a World Cup, and there have been solely 24 groups.
The match has had 32 groups since 1998, with eight teams of 4 and the finalists enjoying seven video games every. But groups reaching the summit conflict in 2026 will now play eight matches.
Club competitions
FIFA stated a 32-team Club World Cup can be performed each 4 years from June 2025, confirming the announcement made by its president Gianni Infantino in Qatar final 12 months.
Confederation champions from 2021-2024 can be eligible to play within the new Club World Cup, which suggests Chelsea and Real Madrid have already certified.
Should both membership win the Champions League once more, a membership rating calculation primarily based on sporting standards will decide which different group will qualify.
The present model of the FIFA Club World Cup – an annual competitors with seven groups – can be discontinued after 2023, with a brand new yearly membership competitors accepted in 2024.
“This competition will feature the champions of the premier club competitions of all confederations and conclude with a final to be played at a neutral venue, between the winner of the UEFA Champions League and the winner of intercontinental play-offs between the other confederations,” FIFA stated.
FIFA stated golf equipment should launch gamers for the World Cup from May 25, 2026, except they’re in a serious remaining – such because the Champions League showpiece – for which golf equipment can have till May 30 to permit gamers to hitch their nationwide groups.
“With 56 days, the total number of rest, release, and tournament days remain identical to 2010, 2014, and 2018 FIFA World Cup editions,” FIFA added.
A newly structured worldwide calendar was additionally accepted with nine-day home windows in March and June for 2 video games every, a 16-day window for 4 matches in September-October, and one other nine-day two-match window in November.
Fatigue and burnout
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) stated they had been anxious about “physical fatigue and mental burnout” because of the packed schedule, with its CEO Maheta Molango saying the soccer calendar wants a “complete reset.”
“The expanded World Cup format being announced for 2026 means that, yet again, more games are being forced into an already overcrowded schedule,” he stated.
The PFA stated they had been inspired to see FIFA had prioritized considerations reminiscent of needing a “minimum of 72 hours between games, a mandatory day off each week and an annual rest period.”
“However, it’s tough to see how that aligns with the constant expansion of the domestic and international calendar,” Molango added.
“We know that the current workload players face has an ongoing impact on their well-being … We can’t simply push them until they break.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
