FIFA to reexamine four-team groups for 2026 World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the World Cup will extend to 48 teams in 2026 but revealed that the original plan of having 16 groups of three nations is now back on the table for change.

Infantino hailed the 2022 World Cup as the best ever ahead of Sunday's final between France and Argentina.

Much of the excitement and entertainment at this year's tournament has come from the final day of the four-team groups, with dramatic exits for Belgium, Germany and Uruguay among others.

Such was the success of the four-team groups that pressure has been growing on FIFA to drop plans to move to three-team groups in 2026.

While Infantino confirmed that plans to expand the World Cup to 48 teams are continuing, he opened up the door to keeping the four-team format.

"We are really convinced of the growth, we have been approving a 48-team format with 16 groups of three where the top two would move into a knockout phase," he said.

"After this World Cup and the success of the groups of four and looking as well at some other competitions as well, like the Euros, they have been absolutely incredible in the sense that going to the last minute of the last match (to decide) who will go ahead (to the knockout stages).

"So we have to revisit and discuss if that goes ahead, that is something that will be on the agenda in the next meetings.

"It is something we need to discuss, whether 16 groups of three or 12 groups of four are better."

Infantino also revealed that the 2025 Club World Cup will feature 32 teams, making the format similar to the World Cup.

He said the tournament, which currently involves seven teams, would be held every four years and would boost revenues for the global sports body further.

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