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FIFA want to see the drama at the 2022 World Cup at the 2026 edition
Football’s governing body, FIFA, has announced plans for an expanded World Cup format that will see more matches than any other edition.
FIFA looking at new World Cup format
The 2026 World Cup, hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is set to feature 48 teams for the first time ever, and FIFA are set to unveil plans for the tournament, which is set to be a landmark for future tournaments.
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Configuring the set-up of the new format had been a challenge for FIFA and they have come up with a solution.
They had considered the possibility of having 16 groups of three teams but have shelved the idea in favour of a more robust schedule.
After seeing the success of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and the drama that the last round of matches produced, FIFA have decided to stick with the four-team group to keep up the entertainment factor of an unpredictable last day.
FIFA decide on a larger World Cup format
It is also vital to have two matches in the last round of group matches to avoid match-fixing.
The new format will see four teams in 12 groups, with the top two teams qualifying from each group along with the four best losers joining them to make 32 teams in the second round.
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The new format will see 104 matches as opposed to the current 64-match format, which will certainly cause concern for players who have been complaining about the recent congestion of fixtures.
In order to offset the extra week that a 104-match tournament will require, FIFA have also decided that the time allotted for the pre-tournament release period will be one week earlier than usual, leaving players with only 16 days between their last club day and the start of the 2026 World Cup.
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