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FIFA approves 2026 World Cup format with record 104 matches

By Reuters   March 14, 2023 | 08:49 pm PT
FIFA approves 2026 World Cup format with record 104 matches
Argentina's Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup trophy alongside his teammates as they celebrate winning the World Cup on December 18, 2022. Photo by Reuters/Carl Recine
The 2026 World Cup will have 104 matches instead of the traditional 64 games due to the expanded format with 48 teams taking part, global football governing body FIFA said on Tuesday ahead of its Congress in Kigali, Rwanda.

The 2026 edition, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the first edition of the quadrennial tournament where 48 teams are taking part. The final will be held on July 19.

The new format will also stick to drawing four teams in a group after a proposal for 16 groups of three was shot down over fears of collusion in the final group game. However, the number of groups will increase from eight to 12.

The original plan for the 2026 edition had a total of 80 matches but the decision to increase the number of games to 104 was approved by FIFA's council at a meeting on Tuesday.

 
 
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