Having simply delivered probably the most thrilling group stage ever seen at a World Cup, with a tried and examined format that retains a whole bunch of tens of millions of followers enthralled, FIFA now faces the prospect of ripping all of it up.
As a substitute, they threat a turgid fortnight of drab video games and lifeless rubbers, plus the opportunity of undesirable controversy, as they attempt to accommodate 48 groups on the 2026 version in North America. It means world soccer’s governing physique are re-thinking the format for the following World Cup as their unique plans to have 16 teams of three groups within the first section, with two from every advancing to the following stage, now look dangerously boring, in addition to doubtlessly courting unsporting habits.
As issues stand now for 2026, when Canada, Mexico and the U.S. collectively host the World Cup, there’s a threat of many ‘lifeless’ matches — for instance if the final group recreation was between two groups who had already received one every and have been subsequently already certified — or contrived outcomes.
FIFA conceded earlier this 12 months they have been involved about the opportunity of contrived outcomes the place two groups might engineer a optimistic end result for each, which might remove the third group staff not taking part in. “It’s a problem that has been raised,” stated FIFA vp Victor Montagliani in March.Subscriber Solely StoriesPremiumPremiumPremiumPremium
The 2026 format has the 48 groups diminished to 32 after the group section after which the event turns into a knockout affair. Various codecs at the moment are on the desk, with the FIFA Council, the group’s omnipotent cupboard, to determine subsequent 12 months.
They’re, in accordance with FIFA’s head of world soccer improvement Arsene Wenger, 12 teams of 4 groups, with the most effective third-placed groups advancing with the highest two, or another choice to separate the World Cup into two separate halves of 24, every that includes six teams of 4 groups. The winner of every half would meet within the ultimate.
Given how dramatic and thrilling a number of the four-team teams have been concluded in Qatar, that appears a extra viable proposition.
INCREASED GAMESBut that can imply a substantive enhance within the variety of video games. The 32-team World Cup in Qatar has a complete of 64, accomplished in 29 days, and, for now, the 2026 finals will probably be 80 video games over 32 days. With 4 staff teams, there could be 104 matches, requiring no less than an additional week.
There, FIFA run the chance of tilting the fragile steadiness of all-consuming pleasure that the World Cup has confirmed in Qatar right into a drawn out affair that loses its lustre with the standard of leisure diluted.
Extra matches, nonetheless, would imply extra tv rights cash and because the World Cup brings in some 90% of FIFA’s income, its leaders will probably be tempted. The World Cup in Qatar has earned $7,5-billion in rights and sponsorship income, one billion greater than for 2018 finals in Russia, FIFA stated final month.