2026 World Cup Format: FIFA set for HUGE Expansion, after 48 team World Cup in Qatar, FIFA aim to add 16 more countries for 2026 edition

2026 World Cup Format: FIFA is set to introduce a new format after their council meeting regarding the upcoming 2026 World Cup. According to reports, all 48 teams will be divided into groups of four teams each. This will bring up the total number of World Cup matches to a whopping 104 from the previous 64 matches. This will also see the 2026 World Cup become the longest in the history of the competition. Follow Football News Updates on InsideSport.IN.

2026 World Cup Format: FIFA set for HUGE Expansion, after 48 team World Cup in Qatar, FIFA aim to add 16 more countries for 2026 edition – Check out

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FIFA had previously confirmed that the next 2026 World Cup will be held with 48 teams selected from the 6 football federations around the world. It was rumored that the competition format will include 3 groups of 16 teams each. However, FIFA is concerned that it could see a decrease in the number of exciting matches.

Very recently, FIFA held a council meeting in the capital of Rwanda, Kigali. According to reports, they have discussed introducing a total of 12 teams with 4 teams each. According to the new rules, 2 top teams from each group, meaning a total of 24 teams will directly progress to the knockout round. Additionally, the best 8 third-placed teams from the groups will also join the 24 teams for the knockout round.

2026 World Cup Format: FIFA set for HUGE Expansion, after 48 team World Cup in Qatar, FIFA aim to add 16 more countries for 2026 edition – Check out

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During the recent 2022 Qatar World Cup, the world saw the excitement brought on by group stage matches between groups-of-4 teams. The fates of giant teams, like Argentina, Spain, and Croatia were decided in their last group-stage matches. Additionally, giant teams like Uruguay, Belgium, and Germany were knocked out after the group stage, while underdogs, like South Korea and Japan, advanced to the next round.

🚨 The FIFA council are set to approve the new format of the 2026 World Cup:

→ 48 teams (16 European)
→ 16 host cities
→ 12 groups of 4
→ Top 2 qualify + 8 best third-placed teams
→ Last 32 knock-out round

→ 104 TOTAL GAMES 😨

✍️ @David_Ornstein pic.twitter.com/VgqUfM8FCc

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) March 14, 2023

2026 World Cup Format: FIFA set for HUGE Expansion, after 48 team World Cup in Qatar, FIFA aim to add 16 more countries for 2026 edition – Check out

The team that lost their very first match and narrowly escaped elimination during the group stage, Argentina even went on to win the coveted trophy. Owing to such dramatic outcomes and the success of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said that he would revisit the idea of 12 groups of 4 teams or 16 groups of 3 teams for the coming World Cup.

Gianni Infantino said, “I have to say that after this World Cup and the success of the groups of four, and looking as well at some other competitions like the Euros for example where you have 24 teams and the top two plus the best third ones go to the next stage.”

He added, “Here, the groups of four have been absolutely incredible in the sense that until the last minute of the last match, you wouldn’t know who goes through. We will have to revisit or at least rediscuss the format – whether we go for 16 groups of three or 12 groups of four. This is something that will certainly be on the agenda in the next meetings.”