FIFA set to use new format for the 2026 World Cup; 48 teams to participate in the final stages

Fifa World Cup (Source - Twitter)

FIFA has announced a new format for the upcoming 2026 World Cup that is set to be held in three countries, Mexico, Canada and the United States of America. There were rumours of more group-stage matches with the number of teams set to increase as well. 

Due to the increase from 32 to 48 teams, the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada was scheduled to have 16 groups of three teams. However, the governing body changed its mind once the Qatar 2022 World Cup's four-team format was a success.

The change increases the number of matches from the anticipated 80 to 104, along with a new round-of-32 stage. The top two teams and the eight best third-placed teams, according to Fifa, advance to the round of 32. 

The 104 World Cup games will be 40 more than the 32-team tournament that took place in Qatar last year and a major increase from the prior plans that planned for 80 games. According to Fifa vice-president Victor Montagliani, the event's impact won't be any bigger than that of the most recent World Cups, which were held in June and July of 2018 and 2014, respectively.

As stadium authorities balance a summer of sporting events and other activities, the shift will also compel organisers to free up more days in the 16 cities they have selected to host the World Cup. Montagliani declined to rule out the possibility of adding a host and stated that plans for how and where the extra games would be played will be discussed. 

Infantino became FIFA President in 2016, and the men's tournament was not granted until the North American World Cup. Several of the smaller member countries of the governing body have welcomed the expansion due to the increased options for qualification and the additional billions of dollars in income it will generate, but many spectators and pundits were worried the decision would lower the event's calibre.

Infantino has forecasted that the 2026 World Cup will bring in a record-breaking sum of money. FIFA has budgeted $11 billion in revenue for the four years leading up to 2026, nearly $4 billion more than it made during the time the World Cup in Qatar was taking place.