KIGALI: The expanded 2026 men’s World Cup in North America will start with 12 groups of four teams, a change from the original planned format of 16 groups of three, football’s world governing body FIFA announced on Tuesday.
“The revised format mitigates the risk of collusion and ensures that all the teams play a minimum of three matches, while providing balanced rest time between competing teams,” FIFA said of the format for the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, up from 32 sides at the recent tournament in Qatar.
It means that there will be 104 matches played, a huge increase on the 64 games at last year’s tournament.
FIFA’s original plan for 2026, when the World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, was for 16 groups of three teams, from which the top two would advance to a last 32.
The new decided format means the top two in each group will go through to the knockout round along with the eight best third-placed sides.
As a result, the finalists, and the teams finishing third and fourth, will play a total of eight games instead of the current seven.
The decision comes after a dramatic group stage at the tournament in Qatar convinced FIFA that a rethink was needed.
“The groups of four have been absolutely incredible until the last minute of the last match,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in December.
Tuesday’s decision was announced following a FIFA Council meeting in the Rwandan capital Kigali, at which it confirmed the next men’s World Cup final will be played on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
Infantino is expected to be waved in for a new four-year term as president as he stands unopposed for re-election at Thursday’s FIFA Congress.
World Cup 2026 to feature 12 groups of four teams
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World Cup 2026 to feature 12 groups of four teams
- "The revised format mitigates the risk of collusion and ensures that all the teams play a minimum of three matches," FIFA said
- It means that there will be 104 matches played, a huge increase on the 64 games at last year's tournament
Aston Villa beat Newcastle to stay in title hunt, Chelsea climb into top four
- Newcastle were shorn of inspiration without injured captain Bruno Guimaraes
- Newcastle slip to ninth but still only three points outside the top five
LONDON: Aston Villa closed to within four points of the Premier League summit with an impressive 2-0 win at Newcastle, while Chelsea climbed into the top four on Sunday.
Leaders Arsenal can stretch their advantage over Villa and Manchester City back to seven points when they host Manchester United later.
But Villa bounced back from a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Everton last weekend to remain on the fringes of the title race.
Emi Buendia put Unai Emery’s men on course for their first win at St. James’ Park since 2005 with a brilliant strike from outside the box on 19 minutes.
Newcastle were shorn of inspiration without injured captain Bruno Guimaraes in a damaging defeat for their chances of Champions League qualification.
Ollie Watkins set the seal on Villa’s victory when the England international headed in Lucas Digne’s cross two minutes from time.
Newcastle slip to ninth but still only three points outside the top five, which will likely be enough for a place in the Champions League.
Even if Villa fall short on a first league title since 1981, they are well on course for a return to Europe’s elite competition with an 11-point advantage over sixth-placed Manchester United.
Chelsea piled more pain on Crystal Palace with a 3-1 win at Selhurst Park.
Oliver Glasner promised to do his best to turn around a miserable run for the Eagles despite announcing he will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Austrian was furious at the manner club captain Marc Guehi was allowed to depart for Manchester City earlier this week and could also lose star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta before the transfer window closes.
Mateta wasted Palace’s best chance of a bright opening when he fired straight at Robert Sanchez.
But the home side never recovered after a wayward backpass from Jaydee Canvot freed Estevao to sprint clear and fire in Chelsea’s opener on 34 minutes.
The Brazilian then set up compatriot Joao Pedro to gallop in behind the Palace defense and double the Blues’ advantage just after half-time.
Enzo Fernandez’s penalty rounded off a fourth win in five games for Liam Rosenior since he took charge at Stamford Bridge.
Palace’s misery was compounded when England international Adam Wharton was sent off for two bookable offenses.
After 11 games without a win, the Eagles are now looking over their shoulder, just eight points above the relegation zone.
Nottingham Forest gave their survival chances a huge boost by inflicting just a second home defeat of the season on Brentford.
West Ham’s victory over Sunderland on Saturday piled the pressure on Sean Dyche’s men.
But they responded to move five points clear of the drop zone with a 2-0 win in west London thanks to goals from Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi.
