Previously, FIFA wanted to hold the first stage of the 2026 World Cup in 16 groups of three teams.
In March FIFA may return to the group tournament format World Cup 2026When groups will be formed of four teams.
Earlier, the organizers planned to hold the first stage of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada with the participation of 48 teams, dividing them into 16 groups of three teams. However, the tense and spectacular matches of the third round of the 2022 World Cup group stage in Qatar forced FIFA to rethink the situation. Another problem is that a third of the participants in the 2026 World Cup will go home after playing only two games.
On March 16 in Rwanda, FIFA may return to the old format with four teams in the group, provided that it does not drag out the tournament itself. At the same time, the transition to groups of four teams will expand the championship from a projected 80 matches to a possible 104.
Recall that the 2026 World Cup will be held in three countries at once – the USA, Canada and Mexico. Preliminarily announced dates for the 2026 World Cup are from June 11 to July 12.
Source: Sportarena
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