FIFA set to reconsider proposed format for expanded 2026 World Cup

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has revealed that the intended format for the 2026 World Cup will be re-assessed and three-team groups potentially scrapped.

The expanded 2026 finals spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada will be the first World Cup to feature 48 competing nations.

The intention to expand the competition by 50% drew criticism, particularly over the increased number of games and the potential to dilute the quality.

The FIFA Council considered several proposed formats, including an expansion to 40 teams with eight groups of five, and an expansion to 40 teams with 10 groups of four. A 48-team tournament with an opening playoff round before the group stage was also on the table.

But the preferred format, voted for in January 2017, was a 48-team tournament with 16 groups of three. Concern has since been expressed over the increased for potential for collusion in such small groups, as had previously been seen at the World Cup in 1982.

But Infantino has now admitted things will be considered again.

“After this World Cup and the success of the groups of four, absolutely incredible, we have to re-discuss whether 16 groups of three or 12 groups of four are better,” he said.

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The format seen in the 2022 World Cup – eight groups of four, followed by a 16-team knockout bracket – has been the same since 1998, which was the first World Cup with 32 countries.

There had previously been 24 teams at the World Cups since 1982, with the same format currently used for the men’s European Championships that sees a handful of third-placed teams progress from the group stage in place from 1986 to 1994 inclusive.