When the 2022 tournament in Qatar is finally over, the focus will shift to the qualifying rounds for the 2026 tournament. The tournament has been expanded from 32 teams to 48 and will be played across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. But that raises some serious practical issues.
According to The Times, the 2026 World Cup would span at least five weeks to accommodate an expanded competition, up from the traditional four. This decision is expected to upset European teams and leagues.
Besides the growth, FIFA is also reevaluating its plan to have 16 groups of three teams in the group stage, with two from each group advancing to the next phase of the competition. More matches equal more money from TV rights, so FIFA’s leadership prefers a model with 12 groups of four teams.
The current World Cup in Qatar features 64 games, but under the proposed format, there would be 104. Compared to the 29 days for this tournament and the 32 days in Russia four years ago, experts have said it will need “at least 35 days to fit in,” as the Sports Business Journal reported.
The tournament is scheduled to take place between June 8 and July 3, 2026. However, clubs all around the world, including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Spurs of the Premier League, would face challenges with an extra week on either end. This is because they will have less time to work with players returning from the World Cup in preseason camps, and their players will have less time to rest at the end of the season.
There is “growing concern” about the possibility of groups with three teams rather than two because the last matchday wouldn’t involve any of the teams, and the other two may try to manipulate the outcome to their advantage.
The initiative will undoubtedly be greeted with resistance in the end. Let’s watch what unfolds after the announcement is made formally.