World Cup 2026

[StirlingBlue]

My interpretation of what Spencer did was he fouled the Norwegian by putting his leg across him in trying to buy a penalty, and dived.

He should have been booked for simulation imo.

Can’t really be a dive when there’s such heavy contact

[Stumpy]

Can’t really be a dive when there’s such heavy contact

Agreed, he can't really be done for diving.
However he was cheating by trying to con the ref into thinking he was fouled, and it worked until var got involved.
When the ref changed his mind he should have booked him for trying to con him

[Cereal Killer]

Least shocking news ever

Plans for a 64-team men's World Cup are set to be assessed after the 2026 tournament, with Fifa boss Gianni Infantino saying the event needs to be "for the whole world"

The proposal for an expanded tournament was put forward last year, and Infantino says the success of the expanded 48-team tournament means Fifa should look at how a 64-team World Cup could work

[AjaxAndy]

Why stop there? 128 team world spanning an entire season, add some divisions with promotion and relegation while we're at it!

[TheRam]

They’re going to have two leagues of 32 and have it like the champions league.

Logistically I think it will be too much of a nightmare to have so many groups of four.

It’s why I’ve made such an effort to really enjoy this World Cup as I think it could be the last before that weird egghead completely ruins it for good.

[CannockPricey]

The 48 team format was specifically designed to make 64 inevitable wasn't it? Logically, two thirds of third placed teams going through is ridiculous and they wanted that to be the general view.

Two leagues of 32 though will be absolutely dreadful. I can't understand the current CL format and take no interest in it. I can see that alienating far more people from international football than teams 49-64 will bring to it.

I agree 16 groups of 4 would be hard but with these multi nation hosts, it might be possible at a stretch and would be infinitely preferable to that CL style monstrosity and the straight two out of four qualifying is far easier to understand and more dramatic. Scotland getting officially knocked out nearly a week after their last game was ridiculous really.

[blueToffee]

It’s just a bit shit as you’re going to severely limit who could host a tournament like that. How many countries could do it by themselves? Have all the necessary training facilities and accommodations.

Gives these tournaments a very different feel.

[Cereal Killer]

It’s just a bit shit as you’re going to severely limit who could host a tournament like that. How many countries could do it by themselves? Have all the necessary training facilities and accommodations.

Gives these tournaments a very different feel.

USA, Saudi Arabia, China, Russia…

[Sir Stealth]

Could see them doing 2 separate ‘regular’ group stages with 32 teams in each (8 groups of 4 is it?) with 2 teams progressing from each group and hosting them in 2 separate countries and having 2 separate knockout phases (round of 16, quarters, semis, final) and then the winner of each facing off in the World Cup Final

Guess they would have to split the rankings down the middle so there were 2 evenly matched 32 team tournaments

Super money spinning for FIFA obvs. And a delight for the likes of Mbappe, Haaland, Kane, Ronaldo (?!) to hammer those World Cup goals in against weaker teams to fly up the all time World Cup goal rankings!

This has been such a long tournament though. Feels mental that it could be even longer. Since this World Cup started, my manager in work has left and been replaced, I’ve bought an engagement ring and proposed to my girlfriend (now fiancée!), watched all 6 seasons of average Netflix drama Animal Kingdom, and even Everton have technically signed 3 players and released a new kit!what the hell would happen during a 64 team World Cup!

[AjaxAndy]

Could see them doing 2 separate ‘regular’ group stages with 32 teams in each (8 groups of 4 is it?) with 2 teams progressing from each group and hosting them in 2 separate countries and having 2 separate knockout phases (round of 16, quarters, semis, final) and then the winner of each facing off in the World Cup Final

Guess they would have to split the rankings down the middle so there were 2 evenly matched 32 team tournaments

Super money spinning for FIFA obvs. And a delight for the likes of Mbappe, Haaland, Kane, Ronaldo (?!) to hammer those World Cup goals in against weaker teams to fly up the all time World Cup goal rankings!

This has been such a long tournament though. Feels mental that it could be even longer. Since this World Cup started, my manager in work has left and been replaced, I’ve bought an engagement ring and proposed to my girlfriend (now fiancée!), watched all 6 seasons of average Netflix drama Animal Kingdom, and even Everton have technically signed 3 players and released a new kit!what the hell would happen during a 64 team World Cup!

Congratulations mate!

[AjaxAndy]

I had no idea that the first 3 games of the next world cup will be played in South America... Meaning six countries will host games!

'This year it is in three countries across a vast area. In 2030, matches will be played in six countries – Morocco, Portugal, Spain, plus Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay as centenary hosts'.

[Cereal Killer]

I had no idea that the first 3 games of the next world cup will be played in South America... Meaning six countries will host games!

'This year it is in three countries across a vast area. In 2030, matches will be played in six countries – Morocco, Portugal, Spain, plus Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay as centenary hosts'.

A technicality to get around alternating the WC between continents so they can back to the Middle East ASAP and gobble up all that lovely oil money

[777Kidnappings]

Could see them doing 2 separate ‘regular’ group stages with 32 teams in each (8 groups of 4 is it?) with 2 teams progressing from each group and hosting them in 2 separate countries and having 2 separate knockout phases (round of 16, quarters, semis, final) and then the winner of each facing off in the World Cup Final

Guess they would have to split the rankings down the middle so there were 2 evenly matched 32 team tournaments

Super money spinning for FIFA obvs. And a delight for the likes of Mbappe, Haaland, Kane, Ronaldo (?!) to hammer those World Cup goals in against weaker teams to fly up the all time World Cup goal rankings!

This has been such a long tournament though. Feels mental that it could be even longer. Since this World Cup started, my manager in work has left and been replaced, I’ve bought an engagement ring and proposed to my girlfriend (now fiancée!), watched all 6 seasons of average Netflix drama Animal Kingdom, and even Everton have technically signed 3 players and released a new kit!what the hell would happen during a 64 team World Cup!

We could probably sign a right back in the time it takes to play 2 64 team world cups

[Nicco]

They’re going to have two leagues of 32 and have it like the champions league.

Logistically I think it will be too much of a nightmare to have so many groups of four.

It’s why I’ve made such an effort to really enjoy this World Cup as I think it could be the last before that weird egghead completely ruins it for good.

Not Completely ruined this WC but some egghead really squeezed a LOT of joy out of it....

[Cereal Killer]

A technicality to get around alternating the WC between continents so they can back to the Middle East ASAP and gobble up all that lovely oil money

Also means we’ll be back in the US for 2038