FIFA looks to 48-team World Cup as eyes turn to 2026

It’s too much.

Less is more.

Diluted. Dumbed down. Devalued.

I wish they’d stop this nonsense. Don’t they have enough money already?

TT

Sounds like more FIFA corruption.

20 teams would be better.

I was thinking the total opposite. I thinking top 4 team competition with each team playing each other once, the two high points go into the final and after a 100 minute if there is a tie next goal wins no shoot outs.

Even the best players have physical limits. Many suffer cramps and other problems with extended play.

FIFA looks to 48-team World Cup as eyes turn to 2026

So much for being sustainable. It's not like the USA is a tiny country.

The FIFA pigs with their noses firmly back in the trough, looking to screw another few billion dollars regardless of the impact this will have on the players and hard-pressed fans, especially when it's to be spread over 3 countries - when will they ever learn.

I'd really like to see FIFA disbanded and a more normal, equitable and reasonable organisation in its' place, but very little chance of this happening.

The 2026 WC will be hosted by USA/Canada/Mexico. The finals will be in the USA.

Oceania, traditionally forced to compete for a World Cup place via a playoff, will receive an automatic qualifying berth.

This part always confuses me. So Australia is part of the AFC and New Zealand the OFC though both are in Oceania. So basically New Zealand will get an automatic birth and Australia has to go play a bunch of Asia teams to qualify?

Oh dear god no, the bloody thing will drag on even longer!

FIFA all about the money/graft as usual.

Sounds like the Olympics all over again, increase the number of teams FIFA get more money!!!

So basically New Zealand will get an automatic birth and Australia has to go play a bunch of Asia teams to qualify?

Yep. NZ will essentially be playing against amateur teams in the lead up like Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga etc and scoring goals for fun - with no challenge. Hard to prepare for a World Cup playing teams like that.

Australia getting to play the likes of South Korea, Japan, Saudi etc over the 4 year cycle definitely raises their standard.

This will be great to see more countries get the chance to compete on the international stage in the biggest sporting event. I am looking forward to China qualifying which will take Soccer to a level it has never seen before.

wallaceDec. 19  07:37 pm JST

The 2026 WC will be hosted by USA/Canada/Mexico. The finals will be in the USA.

The WC hosted by the US will be the most watched, and the most successful ever.

The increase to 48 teams is a gift to England to make it easier they qualify.

So basically New Zealand will get an automatic birth and Australia has to go play a bunch of Asia teams to qualify?

Yep. NZ will essentially be playing against amateur teams in the lead up like Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga etc and scoring goals for fun - with no challenge. Hard to prepare for a World Cup playing teams like that

Very good point.

Sadly, FIFA isn’t genuinely interested in points not related to cash.

FIFA looks to 48-team World Cup as eyes turn to 2026

So much for being sustainable. It's not like the USA is a tiny country.

The US can do it by itself, but be harder for future countries, especially smaller countries

Co-hosting may become the norm

Even the best players have physical limits. Many suffer cramps and other problems with extended play.

Team depth will become more important, maybe even increase the roster size

Rotate players more; give their players more rest

This part always confuses me. So Australia is part of the AFC and New Zealand the OFC though both are in Oceania. So basically New Zealand will get an automatic birth and Australia has to go play a bunch of Asia teams to qualify?

Australia used to be part of OFC, but the OFC didn't get a guaranteed spot and usually had to play against a good South American side for the play-in

So Australia asked to be part of the AFC, where there are guaranteed spots. Plus, they wanted tougher competition in order to develop their players better

But now, the OFC will get a guaranteed spot, so who knows if Australia wants to go back

Now that everybody has finished criticizing the state of LGBT rights and workers' rights in Qatar, can we now start talking about racism, police brutality, murders against racial or sexual minorities, human rights abuses abroad by American troops, illegal invasions of other countries, and possible boycotts of the next tournament? Perhaps all games can be shifted to Mexico only. Or is it a case of one rule for the garden, and another for the jungle?

The US lets people criticize it

Besides, Mexico has it worse, and Canada doesn't have the stadiums

I am looking forward to China qualifying which will take Soccer to a level it has never seen before.

Yeah, bottom levels, if they can even qualify. They couldn't even make it to the final round (10 teams) of the AFC qualifying

This is how I would run it. Every 3 years. Held by the cup holder in their country. Top 4 teams. If cup holder is not in top 4 bad luck but they still get to hold it. Each team plays one game every week or seven days. So after week 3 every team has played each other the two highest point go through to the final. No draws No shoots. Golden goal after 100 mins. If all four teams end up with same points then decide by goals for and against for best two . The same goes for three end up on same points best two or best if team already in final. How the top four is decide is same way but without having a host country. They play home and away if a draw then decides by most goals or first goal. No draws no shoot out. After 100 min golden goal.

China's finally paid FIFA enough money to expand the tournament so much even they will have to get in.

Money grab. Which is fine by me because I love capitalism.

However, approximately 40 of the supposed 48 teams aren't worth a damn.

But hey, party on!