The globe’s largest soccer event goes to be even larger the game’s governing physique has decreed.
The 2026 World Cup may have 104 matches, a rise of 40 on 2022, as a result of a revised format for the 48 groups collaborating.
Co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico the six-week occasion will now have 12 teams of 4 groups with the highest two and eight finest third-placed groups progressing to a spherical of 32.
Beforehand the occasion was to have 16 three-team teams.
“The revised format mitigates the danger of collusion and ensures that every one the groups play a minimal of three matches, whereas offering balanced relaxation time between competing groups,” stated FIFA.
The 16 host cities — 11 in the US, three in Mexico and two in Canada — now have 24 additional video games to stage on high of the 80 they already had for the inaugural 48-team event.
Including about 1.5 million extra tickets can even additional gasoline FIFA’s anticipated report income of at the very least $US11 bn ($A16 bn) by 2026 from a event that can depend on utilizing high-revenue NFL stadiums.
The 32-team World Cup in Qatar final 12 months had a complete of 64 matches accomplished in 29 days. This time there shall be 72 matches within the group stage alone.
The event has had 32 groups because the 1998 version with the finalists taking part in seven video games every. Groups reaching the ultimate in 2026 will now play eight matches.
The unique plan for the 2026 version had a complete of 80 matches however the resolution to extend the variety of video games to 104 was accredited by FIFA’s council on Tuesday, at a gathering within the Rwandan capital of Kigali.
– with AP
