FIFA are reportedly re-thinking their format for the next World Cup after the group stage success of Qatar.
They are due to have 48 nations competing at the showpiece in North America.
The governing body came up with the plan to 16 groups of three teams at the next tournament in 2026.
That would result in two from each moving on to the next stage.
However, there are fears that it could be “dangerously dull” and also encourage unsporting behaviour.
The risk of “dead” matches is also worrying. If the final group game was between two countries that had already won one apiece and were therefore already qualified there would be no motivation or point to the match.
READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
Ahead of this World Cup, Fifa did admit their concern about the possibility of contrived results as teams may engineer a result that would ensure they both progress while the non-playing member of the group would be eliminated.
Vice president Victor Montagliani admitted: “It’s an issue that has been raised.”
48 teams are due to start the 2026 World Cup tournament, which will then be reduced to 32 following the group phase as the knockouts begin.
But alternative formats are now on the table and Fifa’s Council will decide next year which one to go with.
Most read in Football
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST WORLD CUP BETTING OFFERS AND FREE BETS
According to Fifa’s head of global football development Arsene Wenger, they are 12 groups of four teams, with the best third-placed teams advancing alongside the first and second.
Another is the World Cup being split into two separate halves of 24, with each having six groups of four teams.
That would result in the winner of each half eventually meeting in the final.
And given the number of dramatic final group games that we witnessed in Qatar, a report from Reuters claims that is the “more viable proposition” for chiefs.
The only issue with that would be the increase in the number of matches.
There were 32 teams that entered Qatar which had a total of 64 games being completed in the space of 29 days.
And, at least for now, the 2026 edition will have 80 games in 32 days.
But it would need at least an extra week for four team groups as there would be 104 matches to be played.
However, the extra TV revenue that would bring is also something that could tempt Fifa.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
