The FIFA President, Gianni Infantino’s plan to expand the World Cup, one of the biggest tourneys in the world, to 48 teams has been endorsed by the FIFA Council Meeting in Zurich.
According to the newly approved structure which is expected to start in 2026, the World Cup will have 16 groups featuring three teams that will play 80 games.
The FIFA Council unanimously decided on a 48-team #WorldCup as of 2026:
16 groups of 3 teams. Details to follow after the meeting.— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) January 10, 2017
In the present format which will be used in 2018 (Russia) and 2022 (Qatar) competitions, the World will still be contested by 32 teams divided into 8 groups inside a 32-day schedule.
This is the first time changes has been made to the World Cup since the 1998 edition.
This means that Africa will have more teams in the 2026 edition. Currently, only 5 teams qualify for the World Cup which has resulted in no African nation not going beyond the Quarter-Finals.
