2026 World Cup changes format, FOX will get a record 104 games

[Kirk Van Houten]

News: Gumbel, McAfee, 2026 World Cup, and more

Greg Gumbel is staying with CBS, but leaving the network's NFL coverage.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

FIFA announced that the 2026 World Cup will include 104 games after deciding to continue with the four team group format. The originally planned format was to have 16 groups of 3 teams. However, following concerns of collusion in a three team group format and the excitement of the group matches in Qatar, the FIFA Council unanimously approved the amendment to change course. The 2026 groups will see the top two teams advance, with the addition of the eight best third place teams joining them in the knockout round of 32.

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[KevFu]

The groups of four is so much better than groups of three.

 

[Anisimovs AK]

News: Gumbel, McAfee, 2026 World Cup, and more

Greg Gumbel is staying with CBS, but leaving the network's NFL coverage.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

FIFA announced that the 2026 World Cup will include 104 games after deciding to continue with the four team group format. The originally planned format was to have 16 groups of 3 teams. However, following concerns of collusion in a three team group format and the excitement of the group matches in Qatar, the FIFA Council unanimously approved the amendment to change course. The 2026 groups will see the top two teams advance, with the addition of the eight best third place teams joining them in the knockout round of 32.

How much longer will this make the event?

 

[Kirk Van Houten]

How much longer will this make the event?

It makes the World Cup a five week event instead of a four week one with 40 more matches so now to win the whole thing a nation has to play 8 games instead of 7.