World Cup 2026 set to become bigger and better than before, with 104 matches Hold instead of usual 64 games Because of the extended format with 48 teams participate, as well announced By FIFA Tuesday before Congress in Kigali, Rwanda.
The 2026 edition, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be first Release of every four years tournamentwhere 48 teams They participate. the final will be held on July 19th.
the new will form also Stick to drawing four teams in a group after suggestion for 16 groups of Three were shot down over Fears of Conspiracy in the final group game. However, the number of Groups will increase from eight to 12.
the original Plan for The 2026 edition had 80 matchesHowever, the FIFA Council agreed decision to increase the number of games to 104 at the meeting on Tuesday.
Traditionally the top two teams Of all group Move to last 16, but the 2026 edition will also eight best the third place teams moving in the knockout round of 32.
The FIFA Council has unanimously approved the proposed amendment for the 2026 World Cup competition form,” FIFA said.
Revised format relieves risk of Collusion and ensures that each teams play At least three matches With a balanced rest time between the competitors teams. “
32-team world Cup in The State of Qatar last year was 64 matches complete in 29 days. the last Time Mexico (1986) and the United States (1994) hosted World Cup, there were only 24 teams.
the tournament He had 32 teams Since 1998, with Eight groups of Four and the final competition playing Seven games all. but teams Reach the summit clash in 2026 now play eight matches.
club competitions
FIFA 32 said-team The Club World Cup will be held every four years from June 2025 announcement made by its president Gianni Infantino in The State of Qatar last year.
union champions from 2021-2024 will be eligible for play in the new Club World Cup, which means Chelsea and Real Madrid own already qualified.
must either club win Champions League againa club Sort by account on Other mathematical criteria will be determined team will qualify.
the current version of FIFA Club World Cup – Annual competition with Seven teams – it will be discontinued after 2023, with a new annual club competition consent in 2024.
“this competition will feature the champions of prime minister club competitions of All the Confederates conclude with a final To be played at a neutral venue, between winner of UEFA Champions League and winner of intercontinental play between other confederations”.
FIFA said the clubs would have to release players for The World Cup is from May 25, 2026, unless it is in Basic final – Like a Champions League masterpiece – for Clubs that will have until May 30th to allow players to join they national teams.
within 56 days, total number of Rest and release and tournament days remain Identical to the 2010, 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup “FIFA” versions added.
Newly organized international calendar was also consent with nine days windows in March and June for two games Each window is for 16 days for four matches in September – October, and nine more days -match Window in November.
Fatigue and tiredness
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) said they were concerned about “the physical fatigue and mental exhaustion” due to the overcrowded schedule with Its CEO, Mahita Mulango, said: football calendar needscomplete Re-Set.”
The expanded format of the World Cup is taking place announced for 2026 means that, yet again more games are forced to already crowded schedule,” He said.
The Women’s Football Association said they were encouraged to see Fifa prioritize concerns such as the need for a “minimum”. of 72 hours between gamesMandatory day off every week and an annual rest period.
However, it is hard to see how that align with Continuous expansion of local f international Calendar “Molango added.
“we know that current Workload players face It has a continuous effect on Their well-being…we simply cannot push them until it breaks.”
World Cup 2026 set to become bigger and better than before, with 104 matches Hold instead of usual 64 games Because of the extended format with 48 teams participate, as well announced By FIFA Tuesday before Congress in Kigali, Rwanda.
The 2026 edition, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be first Release of every four years tournamentwhere 48 teams They participate. the final will be held on July 19th.
the new will form also Stick to drawing four teams in a group after suggestion for 16 groups of Three were shot down over Fears of Conspiracy in the final group game. However, the number of Groups will increase from eight to 12.
the original Plan for The 2026 edition had 80 matchesHowever, the FIFA Council agreed decision to increase the number of games to 104 at the meeting on Tuesday.
Traditionally the top two teams Of all group Move to last 16, but the 2026 edition will also eight best the third place teams moving in the knockout round of 32.
The FIFA Council has unanimously approved the proposed amendment for the 2026 World Cup competition form,” FIFA said.
Revised format relieves risk of Collusion and ensures that each teams play At least three matches With a balanced rest time between the competitors teams. “
32-team world Cup in The State of Qatar last year was 64 matches complete in 29 days. the last Time Mexico (1986) and the United States (1994) hosted World Cup, there were only 24 teams.
the tournament He had 32 teams Since 1998, with Eight groups of Four and the final competition playing Seven games all. but teams Reach the summit clash in 2026 now play eight matches.
club competitions
FIFA 32 said-team The Club World Cup will be held every four years from June 2025 announcement made by its president Gianni Infantino in The State of Qatar last year.
union champions from 2021-2024 will be eligible for play in the new Club World Cup, which means Chelsea and Real Madrid own already qualified.
must either club win Champions League againa club Sort by account on Other mathematical criteria will be determined team will qualify.
the current version of FIFA Club World Cup – Annual competition with Seven teams – it will be discontinued after 2023, with a new annual club competition consent in 2024.
“this competition will feature the champions of prime minister club competitions of All the Confederates conclude with a final To be played at a neutral venue, between winner of UEFA Champions League and winner of intercontinental play between other confederations”.
FIFA said the clubs would have to release players for The World Cup is from May 25, 2026, unless it is in Basic final – Like a Champions League masterpiece – for Clubs that will have until May 30th to allow players to join they national teams.
within 56 days, total number of Rest and release and tournament days remain Identical to the 2010, 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup “FIFA” versions added.
Newly organized international calendar was also consent with nine days windows in March and June for two games Each window is for 16 days for four matches in September – October, and nine more days -match Window in November.
Fatigue and tiredness
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) said they were concerned about “the physical fatigue and mental exhaustion” due to the overcrowded schedule with Its CEO, Mahita Mulango, said: football calendar needscomplete Re-Set.”
The expanded format of the World Cup is taking place announced for 2026 means that, yet again more games are forced to already crowded schedule,” He said.
The Women’s Football Association said they were encouraged to see Fifa prioritize concerns such as the need for a “minimum”. of 72 hours between gamesMandatory day off every week and an annual rest period.
However, it is hard to see how that align with Continuous expansion of local f international Calendar “Molango added.
“we know that current Workload players face It has a continuous effect on Their well-being…we simply cannot push them until it breaks.”