FIFA is planning to 104 matches at next world cup in total
FIFA is considering that in case of a tie in the group stage, the matches will be defined in a penalty shootout to determine a winner
Qatar 2022's group stage has barely concluded and FIFA is already organizing the next FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by three nations for the first time in its existence: Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
The tournament which is still three and a half years away will have a game increment the reason is said to make a bigger show, and, obviously, to generate many millions more.
To this end, the world's top soccer body plans to change the tournament's format to have a total of 104 matches throughout the competition.
32 teams in the knockout phase
According to The Guardian, FIFA will change its initial idea of having 16 groups of three teams each, for a very long group phase of 12 sectors with four teams each, to advance to a round of 32 teams to start the knockout phase.
Currently, the 32 teams are divided into 8 groups of 4 teams each, where the first and second place of each group advance to the round of 16.
104 matches in total
With this change, the 2026 World Cup would have a total of 104 matches, 40 more than those scheduled for Qatar 2022, including Group Stage and Qualifiers.
Among other changes according to The Athletic, FIFA is considering that in case of a tie in the group stage, the matches will be defined in a penalty shootout to determine a winner and there will be a much clearer tiebreaker than those currently applied, where even the number of cards or even a tombola can define the ticket to the second round.
Penalties as tiebreakers
FIFA's idea is that, in case of a win, the winner would get three points and a winner in penalties, after a draw in regular time, would get two points, while the loser of the shootout would get one.
How many places will each Confederation have in North America 2026?
The next World Cup will grant 16 more tickets than those granted until now, one of the most beneficial Confederations will be CONCACAF, which, in addition to the three direct tickets for the hosts, will have another three qualification slots. This is the breakdown by confederation:
UEFA: will raise the number of available tickets from 13 to 16.
CAF (Africa): nine direct tickets and half a ticket to be played via play-offs.
CAF (Asia): will have 8 direct tickets
Conmebol: Six direct tickets and half a ticket to be played via Play-offs
CONCACAF: Three direct tickets (in addition to the three for the hosts) and an additional half-quota via the Play-offs.
OFC (Oceania): For the first time in history, it will have one direct ticket and half an additional ticket via the Play-offs.
