Infantino doubted the success of the formula “16 to 3” for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup
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President of the International Football Federation (FIFA) Gianni Infantino said that the current form of the World Cup, when 32 teams seeded in 8 groups of 4 teams fight for the playoffs, has shown its success.
In this regard, Mr. Infantino noted, the FIFA Council will have to decide whether to keep the format with 4 teams in a group or switch to a formula of 16 groups of 3 teams, from which the two best combined groups go to the 1/16 finals.
At a press conference in Qatar, Mr. Infantino said (quoted by RIA Novosti): “Here we saw incredible matches and denouements in groups. The current formula is successful, and we need to think in light of the expansion to 48 teams, which formula – 12 to 4 or 16 to 3 – will be better.
In 2017, FIFA approved the format for the 2026 World Cup. According to the decision, 48 teams will be divided into 16 groups of 3 teams each; the top two teams in the group will advance to the 1/16 finals.
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