(CTN Information) – On Tuesday, FIFA’s Council modified the group stage format for the 2026 World Cup from 16 teams of three nations to 12 teams of 4 groups, growing the variety of video games from 64 in 2022 to 104 in 2026.
NEW FORMAT
The variety of video games a group should compete in to win the World Cup has elevated from seven to eight.
The 32 finest groups from every group will advance to the subsequent spherical, which kicks off the elimination stage.
With the rise from 24 to 32 groups in 1998, the choice for the match’s third-place group to advance was eliminated.
MORE GAMES
There’ll now be 104 matches on the 2026 World Cup, up from the unique 80 beneath the 2026 format and up from the 64 at every match from 1998 via 2022.
FIFA’s backside line will profit from elevated materials for TV broadcasters and ticket gross sales.
WHY CHANGE?
With the World Cup growing from 32 to 48 nations starting in 2026, the Council adopted the unique configuration for the 2026 match in america, México, and Canada in January 2017.
One group would have had a break day on the finish of the group stage, which means two groups would have needed to play.
After the Shame of Gijón on the 1982 World Cup in Spain, when West Germany and Austria knew {that a} one- or two-goal win by the Germans would advance each nations on the expense of Algeria.
The present schedule of getting all groups in a gaggle kick off concurrently on the ultimate day was adopted. West Germany received 1-0 after Horst Hrubesch scored within the tenth minute, and neither group scored once more.
LENGTH
FIFA has set July 19 because the date for the championship sport. East Rutherford, New Jersey, Arlington, Texas, and Inglewood, California, are all robust candidates for the situation, however nothing has been formally introduced but.
The match’s size has not been introduced. Nevertheless, it can most likely final between 38 and 42 days.
A complete of 32 groups certified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, up from 29 within the 2017 match in Qatar. From June seventeenth to July seventeenth, 1994, the match occurred.
IMPACT ON PLAYERS AND CLUBS
On Could 25, a day after leagues should play their closing pre-World Cup matches, FIFA confirmed that the necessary launch deadline for gamers to be made out there to nationwide groups by their golf equipment can be.
Nevertheless, continental finals, such because the Champions League, could proceed past Could 30 with FIFA’s blessing.
After the discharge date, there will likely be a interval of relaxation throughout which coaching will likely be permitted, however worldwide friendlies is not going to.
FIFA has said that the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup all share the identical 56 days of relaxation, launch, and match.
