By Promise Eze
FIFA is set to endorse an expansion of the men’s World Cup with 40 more matches, starting with the 2026 edition hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
According to Sky News, the decision to grow from 64 to 104 matches – rather than the 80 originally planned in 2026 – is due to come at a meeting of the governing body’s ruling council in Kigali, Rwanda.
It is understood that the group winners and runners-up, along with the eight best third-placed teams, would advance to the last 32.
Teams reaching the final, henceforth, will be playing eight games instead of the seven-run that was experienced in Qatar 2022.
The decision would increase the number of matches to 104 instead of the 64 games already proposed with the earlier format.
It is understood that the expansion would help FIFA hit the target of more than £9 billion in revenue.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to be co-hosted by three countries.
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