Possible expansion to 48 teams from 2026 world Cup.

[BonnieShels]

The good money is on the US and there's been chat of a joint hosting with Mexicanada.

We've gotten the least worst options. But Europe and S America is still gonna get the short end. And the rest of us get the see more Asian and African dross.

Soccer is over. So it really doesn't matter tbf.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Continent hosting is going to become the norm I feel.

I'm not adverse to Asia getting more spots, there's a gigantic geographical/population imbalance there.

[DeLorean]

Ireland will still have to negotiate tough World Cup qualification route

For the tournaments hosted outside Europe, the increase for that region will be just two, from 14 to 16 qualifiers.

Okay, now I'm just anti the idea completely.

[DeLorean]

Okay, now I'm just anti the idea completely.

Although this is a pretty good piece I think.

Seeing the Upside as FIFA Votes on Expanding the World Cup

[Stuttgart88]

The talk is of USA and Mexico jointly I think.

[NeverFeltBetter]

It's the last game issue that's the real problem for me. A few of these groups are going to have a situation where the last game played will benefit both sides if its a draw. I'm trying to think of a viable way to eliminate this if the next round is knock-out: I'll I've got is that the best 8 teams should go straight into the Last 16, with the remaining 16 group qualifiers having a play-off round to join them.

There's any number of alterations to dream up of course. In a few decades I wouldn't be surprised to see the World Cup being played on the same timeframe and manner as the Champions League.

[NeverFeltBetter]

If 48 teams had been at Brazil, the likes of Uzbekistan, Peru, Panama, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and New Zealand would probably have qualified. A few there that you wouldn't blink at - NZ did fine before, Panama can't be too far behind Honduras.

[geysir]

Although this is a pretty good piece I think.

Seeing the Upside as FIFA Votes on Expanding the World Cup

I thought the extended format for euro 2016 was a resounding success, however that doesn't mean the 2026 wc format will similarly work and it's hard to predict beforehand how things will pan out there.
Those who were opposed to the extended euro format would have to completely deny Ireland's experience there, deny their right to be there, deny the validity of qualifying from third place to the last 16. To follow on, those geniuses probably would have to attribute Ireland's modest fortunes at Euro 2016 to an incredible run of luck right from the first qualifiers onwards, only to be finally exposed as the small team they are by….. France.

For me the football quality negatives of Euro 2016 were not to do with lesser teams like Ireland, Hungary and Albania (most probably) who never would have qualified, but more so with the fancied qual table toppers such as England (excalibrated), Austria (castrated), Spain weak, a previously exciting but now tired Croatia getting dumped out the competition by a dumbed down Portugal.

Why do we condescendingly focus with germanic arrogance that this new 2026 WC format means the likes of ……... (insert name of some 'tiddlywinks' country) getting through? To my mind that's balderdash. The progress of football is not just about Germany adding another 100 academies and 500 A coaches to their stockpile, it's more about what's happening at the bottom to raise the level upwards. Will the like of Faroes finally get their indoor pitches built? a team who look like they will be competing for 3rd and 4th spot in their group is already stunning evidence of what can happen and yet there's still plenty of room to improve their lot.

At first glance with the new 2026 finals format, a down side is that there only 2 group games but with 2/3 going through, one can reasonably expect that modest teams like Ireland/Wales should at least get to play a 3rd game (Scotland still won't make it to these finals).
I would not be surprised if Uefa get 7 qual berths, still manage to have at least 2 play off fixtures between 4 of the best 3rd place teams in the wc group qualifiers.

[SkStu]

Soccer is over. So it really doesn't matter tbf.

How do you mean Bonnie?

[Gather round]

Those who were opposed to the extended euro format would have to completely deny Ireland's experience there, deny their right to be there, deny the validity of qualifying from third place to the last 16

They wouldn't need to deny any of those things. There are plenty of other criticisms of the expanded format even though the eight extra teams turned out not to be the weakest there. The convoluted structure and the never-ending games at all hours of the day, for two.

Why do we condescendingly focus with germanic arrogance that this new 2026 WC format means the likes of ……... (insert name of some 'tiddlywinks' country) getting through?

We don't really focus like that. Minnows have always had a chance (Montenegro and Estonia making the play-offs in recent qualifers when there were only 13 or 16 places available). Realistically 'plankton' like San Marino will never qualify even with 32 or 40 European places. But fair dos to them for trying.

[ArdeeBhoy]

A circular response from GR, Bless...

[BonnieShels]

Slots decided upon for 2026 World Cup:

Slot allocation*

· AFC: 8 direct slots

· CAF: 9 direct slots

· CONCACAF: 6 direct slots

· CONMEBOL: 6 direct slots

· OFC: 1 direct slot

· UEFA: 16 direct slots

Host Country would take slot form its confederation. There will be a play-off for the 2 remaining slots.

http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/news/...odule_news_top

[TheBoss]

Going to have a lot of average to poor sides in that World Cup!

[BonnieShels]

Yup. It's going to be gash. Ah well.

[NeverFeltBetter]

16 teams from UEFA: 9 group winners + 7 best runners up? Not sure how else to work it, having a play-off system doesn't quite fit.

Or 7 groups of 5, 3 of 6. Ten group winners + 2 best runners up + 4 play/off winners?

Looking at 2014, think Sweden, Ukraine, and Romania would have been the sorts of teams getting in under this system in Europe. In other confederations the likes of China, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Tunisia, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Panama, Jamaica, Venezuela and New Zealand would have been going to Brazil.

[NeverFeltBetter]

http://www.msn.com/en-ie/sport/ameri...cid=spartanntp

A joint Canada/US/Mexico bid being considered. Might be a nice way to celebrate the end of the Trump presidency.

[citybone]

http://www.msn.com/en-ie/sport/ameri...cid=spartanntp

A joint Canada/US/Mexico bid being considered. Might be a nice way to celebrate the end of the Trump presidency.

If there is a 48 team tournament US/Mexico/Canada is a good combination. Group stages will need to be regions like Cascadia, Southern California, New England & New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Washington DC, Florida etc. But the Knockout rounds would still have a lot of travel.

[BonnieShels]

They could split the knock-out phase up like a bracket and have a East v West sitch. The Knock Out stage s are already split in a certain way anyway.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Is this our World Cup 2026 thread? Both Morocco and the CONCACAF bids have submitted their formal proposals. Decision to be made June 13th. CONCACAF with the obvious advantage in essentially being able to host the tournament without too much else to be done regards infrastructure (though some of the host city applications have been withdrawn over disputes with FIFA). But Morocco could potentially do the same over a much smaller area given nearly eight years of prep time, and in European timezones.

[NeverFeltBetter]

48 teams for 2022 looking more likely, however coy Infantino is being: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2019...ays-infantino/

Final decision in June, the day before qualifying actually starts (Asia's first round).