The New York Times reports that FIFA will choose a record 104-match format for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Gianni InfantinoPhoto: Stephen Paston / PA Images / Profimedia

12 groups of 4 teams at the 2026 World Cup

A decision on the format of the 48-team final tournament (from 32 currently) at the 2026 World Cup is expected soon at FIFA’s pre-Congress meeting on Thursday in Kigali, Rwanda, where Gianni Infantino will be re-elected as president.

The original format called for 16 groups of three teams, but the success of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with its traditional four-team groups forced FIFA to find a solution to keep this system.

64 matches have been played in Qatar, with another 40 to be added under the system 12 groups of four teams for WC 2026. A system with 16 groups of three teams would only add 16 more matches.

Infantino believes that groups of three teams lead to low-stakes matches and even the possibility of match-fixing.

Argentina played seven matches before winning the trophy at the 2022 World Cup. At the 2026 World Cup, the teams that progressed to the round of 16 will play just one more match each.

However, the system with 48 teams and groups of four will lead to an increase in the duration of the final tournament, which may affect the national championships, writes the DPA agency, which is quoted by Agerpres.