FIFA set to retain four-team groups at 2026 World Cup after success of format at Qatar 2022 – report

FIFA could retain the four-team group format for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The next World Cup will see the number of teams taking part expand from 32 to 48. Ad Arsene Wenger – head of FIFA's Football Development Department – has previously said that FIFA was working on three possibilities of competition format for the tournament.

A final decision, according to FIFA’s website, will be made during 2023. World CupSouthgate reveals criticism made him question position as England manager26/01/2023 AT 21:57 It was widely expected that FIFA would elect to divvy the teams up into 16 groups of three teams. However, according to the BBC, FIFA’s decision could be swayed by the excitement generated by the four-group format at the 2022 World Cup, where multiple groups went down to the wire.

The BBC report that a decision could be made at FIFA’s council meeting in Rwanda on 16 March, adding that a the four-team format will likely be retained as long as it “does not extend the 'footprint' of the competition — which includes preparation time as well as the tournament itself.” Messi wins Best FIFA Men's Player Award ahead of Mbappe and Benzema Fifa to request every country in the world name a stadium after Pele Putellas beats Mead to win Best FIFA Women’s Player award Concacaf president Victor Montagliani said at the FT Business of Football Summit that the three-team format had “some issues”. «Groups of three sounded great but there are some issues,» Montagliani said. «Is it right that you qualify for a World Cup and a third of teams go home after two games? »We do have to be responsible.