World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

[Thrash13]

Re: World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

ITs all about that money

It always will be with everything!

The World Cup is one of the events that still feels really special, and this decision will certainly take a little bit of that away in the group stages. The top 8-10 teams are going to absolutely crush their two opponents in the group stage, but I imagine it'll be a bit more exciting for the teams ranked in the 10-16 range. Their group stages may be a little more exciting.

That being said, the event is still going to get really good when it's time for the Knockout Rounds. The "Sweet 16" so-to-speak will always be great in the World Cup!

[Majingir]

Re: World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

It's looking like US/Mexico/Canada are early favorites


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FIFA approved the fast tracking bid, meaning we'll find out by June 2018 the host(s).

I just hope they give Canada an automatic qualifying spot because they can't earn it. Let them be in it and have 8 years to focus on putting together a decent team. 10 games are held in Canada, if some feature Canada in it, that'd be huge in growing the sport here.

[ioanastasis]

Re: World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

What about 40 teams? 8 groups of 5 and the knock-outs start with 16 teams as usual... That way more teams are in the tournament and it's also not overkill

[Majingir]

Re: World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

Apparently there's a chance Morocco could come in and win the bid for this world cup.

Only something involving FIFA could possibly choose to award Morocco a global event over USA, Mexico and Canada. I think we all know the reasons why this is even a debate internally in FIFA.

[ZeroTheHero]

Re: World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

The WC should be 16 teams. The qualification rounds should include large parts of what's the actual WC now, and the Cup should officially start once the round of 16 begins. The actual cup matches, in other words.

[ACE8]

Re: World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

What about 40 teams? 8 groups of 5 and the knock-outs start with 16 teams as usual... That way more teams are in the tournament and it's also not overkill

This is what I was thinking as well, as it gives the actual teams participating some more time playing together in games that really count on a world stage before they get into the eliminating games. And can give a team that lost an early game or two to get back to the tournament a real strong chance to get back into it before it gets eliminated, so the real teams will go through with no excuses of a poor performance. The 48 teams idea it’s not so clever, as a team could get lucky and eliminate a real title contender, and it’s too many matches for people to keep an eye on games that really matter.


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[brilliantsg]

Re: World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

This is what I was thinking as well, as it gives the actual teams participating some more time playing together in games that really count on a world stage before they get into the eliminating games. And can give a team that lost an early game or two to get back to the tournament a real strong chance to get back into it before it gets eliminated, so the real teams will go through with no excuses of a poor performance. The 48 teams idea it’s not so clever, as a team could get lucky and eliminate a real title contender, and it’s too many matches for people to keep an eye on games that really matter.


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I think so, too much team too trouble and too long time on TV...Now the Worldcup has 16 team and will be end at 15-7 (01 month), what do you think about 40 team ? so long !

[Majingir]

Re: World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

Voting happens in just over a week. Fifa released a report showing where the bids stand. Right now it seems like the North American bid is drastically beating the Morocco bid.

[ZeroTheHero]

Re: World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

If anything, they should make the final World Cup tournament smaller. The qualifiers should instead be counted as the actual tournament, the group stages after the qualifiers should consist of home an away matches locally and when the cup matches start the tournament started in the host country.

[Brahvocado]

Re: World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

If anything, they should make the final World Cup tournament smaller. The qualifiers should instead be counted as the actual tournament, the group stages after the qualifiers should consist of home an away matches locally and when the cup matches start the tournament started in the host country.

Only problem with this is that it greatly favors the bigger nations.

At a World Cup, nobody but the host nation has a home field advantage. With a home and away style group stage, you'd get smaller countries looking to go on a fairytale run having to travel to the Maracana etc. Plus, it's double the amount of games.

I'm with you on making the tournament smaller though, I like the idea, I'm just not sure how it would be done in a fair way.

[ZeroTheHero]

Re: World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

What weaker countries want isn't really relevant for my opinion.

[Suntan Superman]

Re: World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

Also, people don't want to see the best, they like random, that's why March Madness is so popular, by increasing the number of teams, there's a higher chance that a "shock" can happen. It's all for the casual fan.

[petersh]

Re: World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

I think expansion is a great idea. Many national teams in Asia, North America, and Africa want to join WC.
I also want to see Netherlands, Italy, and Chile in WC

[Brahvocado]

Re: World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

I also want to see Netherlands, Italy, and Chile in WC

Well maybe they shouldn't have royally balls'd up their qualification campaigns.

[Majingir]

Re: World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2026

Voting and announcement will be happening Wednesday morning!

There's even a "none of the above" option. Apparently it was put in place awhile ago incase both bids received bad ratings so it'd give people a chance to see other bids.

It'd be the most FIFA thing ever if Morocco got the 2026 World Cup. Under any other circumstances they might actually get it, but with all the controversy around the 2018 and especially 2022 voting, they basically have to give it to North America. People can mention the political aspect all they want, but if they are against NA that much because of the political aspect, how do you not vote "none of the above" over Morocco?


And that united bid better have Canada automatically qualifying for the WC. Never in the almost 100 year history of the world cup has a host country not automatically qualified.