FIFA expands 2026 World Cup to 104 matches | Soccer Information
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The 2026 World Cup can have 104 matches as an alternative of the standard 64 video games because of the expanded format with 48 groups collaborating, international soccer governing physique FIFA stated on Tuesday after its Congress in Kigali, Rwanda.
The 2026 version, which will likely be co-hosted by america, Canada and Mexico, would be the first version of the quadrennial event the place 48 groups are collaborating. The ultimate will likely be held on July 19.
The brand new format may also stick with drawing 4 groups in a bunch after a proposal for a three-team group was shot down over fears of collusion. Nonetheless, the variety of teams will enhance from 12 to 16.
The unique plan for the 2026 version had a complete of 80 matches however the choice to extend the variety of video games to 104 was accepted by FIFA's council at a gathering on Tuesday.
Historically the highest two groups from every group advance to the final 16 however the 2026 version may also have the eight greatest third-placed groups shifting into the knockout spherical of 32.
"The FIFA Council unanimously accepted the proposed modification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 competitors format" FIFA stated.
"The revised format mitigates the chance of collusion and ensures that every one the groups play a minimal of three matches, whereas offering balanced relaxation time between competing groups."
The 32-team World Cup in Qatar final yr had a complete of 64 matches accomplished in 29 days. The final time Mexico (1986) and america (1994) hosted a World Cup, there have been solely 24 groups.
The event has had 32 groups because the 1998 version, with eight teams of 4 and the finalists enjoying seven video games every. However groups reaching the summit conflict in 2026 will now play eight matches in whole.
CLUB COMPETITION
FIFA stated a 32-team Membership World Cup will likely be performed each 4 years from June 2025, confirming the announcement made by its president Gianni Infantino in Qatar final yr.
Confederation champions from 2021-2024 will likely be eligible to play within the Membership World Cup, which suggests Chelsea and Actual Madrid have already certified.
Ought to both membership win the Champions League once more, a membership rating calculation based mostly on sporting standards will likely be used to find out which different group will qualify.
The present model of the FIFA Membership World Cup -- an annual competitors with seven groups -- will likely be discontinued after 2023, with a brand new yearly membership competitors accepted from 2024.
"This competitors will function the champions of the premier membership competitions of all confederations and conclude with a last to be performed at a impartial venue, between the winner of the UEFA Champions League and the winner of intercontinental play-offs between the opposite confederations," FIFA stated.
FIFA stated golf equipment must launch gamers for the World Cup from Could 25, 2026 except they're in a significant last -- such because the Champions League showpiece -- for which golf equipment can have till Could 30 to permit gamers to affix their nationwide groups.
"With 56 days, the overall mixed variety of relaxation, launch and event days stay an identical to the 2010, 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup editions," FIFA added.
A newly structured worldwide calendar was additionally accepted with nine-day home windows in March and June for 2 video games every, a 16-day window for 4 matches in September-October adopted by one other nine-day two-match window in November.
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