Even in the next World Cup, when the number of participating countries is expanded to 48, the group stage system of 4 teams per group will be maintained. Instead, if they pass the group stage, they will go to the round of 32 instead of the round of 16, which gives the third-place team a chance.
This is Reporter Lee Jeong-chan.
<Reporter>
The International Football Federation (FIFA) has decided to increase the group stage of the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America to 12 groups while maintaining the existing method of 4 teams per group, in which 48 countries participate. 메이저사이트
The 24 teams in first and second place in each group advance directly to the round of 32, and the top 8 out of the 12 teams in third place in each group also advance to the round of 32.
FIFA originally considered dividing the teams into 16 groups of 3 teams, with the first and second place finishers advancing to the round of 32, but the Qatar World Cup changed that idea.
Just as we anxiously waited for the results of the match between Ghana and Uruguay after beating Portugal on the last day of the group stage, we decided to maintain the ‘four teams in one group’ method, which is exciting until the end and avoids concerns about match fixing.
It is not bad for us that the number of participating countries increases from 32 to 48, and that the group stage method is maintained.
The number of tickets for the finals given to Asia has increased significantly from 4.5 to 8.5, increasing the chances of qualifying for the finals.