FIFA is set to reconsider the format of the 2026 World Cup after the “success” of the tournament in Arab nation, Qatar, says President Gianni Infantino.
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| FIFA President, Gianni Infantino |
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be hosted in the United States (US), Mexico and Canada.
The teams will increase for the competition from 32 to 48, and were set to be divided into 16 Groups of three, with the top two teams qualifying for the round of 32.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, disclosed, that would be considered after the “success” of the four-team Groups World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
He said: “Here the groups of four have been absolutely incredible.
“Until the last minute of the last match you would not know who goes through.
“We have to revisit or at least re-discuss the format. This is something that will certainly be on the agenda in the next meeting.”
The format of four teams in a group with the top two teams progressing into the knockouts, has been in use since the men’s World Cup expanded to 32 teams in 1998.
Infantino further said: “Thanks to everyone involved, Qatar, all the volunteers to make this the best World Cup ever.
“Matches have been played without incidents. It has been a very joyful atmosphere.
“There is something happening when we talk about football becoming truly global, with an African team [Morocco] reaching the semi-final for the first time.
“We also had a woman [Stephanie Frappart] referee a match for the first time.
“It has been an incredible success, approaching five billion in terms of viewing figures. The fans meeting the Arab world, it has been very important for the future of all of us.”
