Arsène Wenger, FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development, stated that several options are being considered to host the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
In 2017, FIFA decided to expand the number of World Cup finals participants from 32 to 48 starting from 2026. The plan was to divide the teams into 16 groups of three, with 16 group winners and 16 second-place teams advancing to the playoff round.
It hasn't been decided yet, but the tournament will either have 16 groups of three teams each or 12 groups of four teams, or the tournament will be split into two sides. Each side would include six groups with four teams in each. So it will be two sides of 24 teams.
The official added that he isn't the one who decides that, and also noted that the final decision may be approved in 2023.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar began Nov. 20 and runs through December 18. Thirty-two national teams took part in the group stage, and half of them reached the round of 16.
See our page with 2022 World Cup predictions and stay tuned for more Qatar 2022 updates!
