Official: FIFA has approved the new format for the 2026 World Cup with 48 teams

It is a historic day for football because at the Council of the Fifa held on Tuesday at Kigali (Rwanda) approval of the format change for the World Cup of the 2026 edition, which will be the first to be held with the participation of 48 selections. To territorial expansion for being organized in Mexico, Canada and United States Simultaneously, the expansion of competitors, matches and days is also added.

With the introduction of this new format, the world will have 104 evenings (previously there were 64) carried out in a period of 39 days; which means that the champion and runner-up of the most prestigious tournament on the planet will now play eight games each instead of the current seven, since the round of 16 will be added.

This change will also force organizers to add more dates in the 16 seats they have chosen to host the next World Cup. Thus, the first phase will now consist of 12 groups of four teams instead of the traditional eight that had been installed from 1998. The top two from each zone and the eight best third teams will qualify for the next stage.

“The revised format mitigates the risk of collusion and ensures that all teams play a minimum of three games, while providing balanced rest time between competing teams,” the body announced on its website after approval. unanimous. “The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be played on Sunday July 19, 2026. and the mandatory release period will begin on May 25, 2026, after the club’s last official match on May 24, 2026 (exceptions may exist),” the statement added.

By adding more games and extra days In order to carry out the competition, it will be necessary to see what position the unions of players and clubs take, which logically already expressed their concern during the last edition due to the strong demand which is imposed on the main stars of the most sports. popular around the world.

There fifa world cup who will play together Mexico, Canada and United States This will give smaller nations the opportunity to be part of the big party that this competition offers, in addition to the fact that the governing body expects an increase in the millionaire income generated by the said event.

as predicted Gianni Infantinopresident of the Fifain the nearly four-year cycle to the 2026 World Cup, almost $4 billion more than was produced during the same period up to Qatar World Cup. However, there are fans and pundits who have expressed concern that there may be a drop in quality within this prestigious national team tournament.

In addition, by 2026 there will be an increase in the number of slots for each confederation:

• UEFA will go from 13 to 16 teams.

• Africa will have 9, against 5 currently.

• Asia will move from 4 ½ to 8 place.

• The Conmebol will go from 4 and a half places to 6.

• CONCACAF will leave behind the 3 and a half places to have 6.

• Oceania will get a guaranteed place instead of the current half place.

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