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The Latest Breaking News on World Cup 2026 to feature 12 groups of four teams

World Cup 2026 to feature 12 groups of four teams

KIGALI - The expanded 2026 men's World Cup in North America will start with 12 groups of four teams in a change from the original planned format of 16 groups of three, football's world governing body FIFA announced on Tuesday.

Bangkok Post

World Cup bosses opt for 12 groups of four teams for start of 2026 tournament

World football's governing body Fifa on Tuesday cleared the format for the first World Cup to boast 48 teams.

Radio France Internationale

FIFA Expands 2026 World Cup Again to Create 104-Game Program

The expanded World Cup in North America got even more supersized on Tuesday. The governing body of football increased the size of the 2026 tournament for the second time — six years after the first — by approving a bigger group stage for the inaugural 48-team event. By retaining groups…

Asharq Al-Awsat

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Next World Cup will see more than 100 games played

2026 tournament will include a new round-of-32 stage

Wales Online

Four team groups remain as FIFA confirm expanded World Cup from 2026

The competition will increase from 32 teams to 48 when the next iteration of the competition is held.

Irish Mirror

Fifa set to confirm 2026 World Cup format with three-team groups abandoned and new knock-out round

Mexico, USA and Canada are to jointly host the tournament which will feature 48 teams for the first time

The Independent UK

2026 World Cup set to include a new last-32 stage in extended 104-game tournament

The 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico are set to feature 104 games, including a new round-of-32 stage, with plans for three-team groups poised to be abandoned.

Irish Independent

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2026 World Cup set to include a new last-32 stage in extended tournament

The finals will be the first to feature 48 teams.

The Independent UK

World Cup 2026: FIFA approve unpopular changes including new format and 40 extra games

Fifa will confirm the plans for 48-team tournament in 2026 at a council meeting today ahead of annual congress in Rwanda

Daily Mirror

Socceroos start new World Cup cycle with homecoming Ecuador friendlies

Graham Arnold will use this month’s fixtures to inform his approach to the 2026 qualifiers and next January’s Asian Cup

The Guardian - AU

Gary Lineker poses important question as new details on 32-team Club World Cup emerge

Gianni Infantino surprised many when he announced the revamped and expanded Club World Cup in Qatar in December, and FIFA have now doubled down on their plans

Irish Mirror

Gary Lineker poses important question as new details on 32-team Club World Cup emerge

Gianni Infantino surprised many when he announced the revamped and expanded Club World Cup in Qatar in December, and FIFA have now doubled down on their plans

Daily Mirror

Real Madrid expected to continue European dominance of Club World Cup

Rabat (AFP) - One of the last Club World Cups in its current format begins on Wednesday in Morocco, where Real Madrid will be favourites to continue Europe's dominance of the much-maligned FIFA competition.

AFP

Hockey World Cup: The world's in Odisha

The countdown is over and the long wait has finally come to an end as the Hockey World Cup is all set to begin in Odisha on Friday.

The Times of India

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Asharq Al-Awsat

Deschamps Extends as France Coach to Next World Cup

After leading France to another World Cup final, coach Didier Deschamps is signing up for another shot at the title, prolonging his contract to June 2026. The French Football Federation announced the contract extension on Saturday, The Associated Press reported. Deschamps, a World Cup winner as a player, took over…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Argentina Only No. 2 in New FIFA Rankings Led by Brazil

Winning the World Cup was not enough to lift Argentina atop the FIFA world rankings with Brazil keeping the No. 1 position on Thursday. Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Croatia but built enough rankings points from results over recent years that feed into FIFA’s calculation. Argentina moved up…

Irish Independent

Ireland climb FIFA rankings as Argentina fail to knock Brazil off top spot

Ireland have climbed one place to 48th in the FIFA men's rankings, while the women's team have also risen one spot to 23rd – their highest ever ranking.

Daily Mirror

Qatar looks to capitalise on World Cup success by 'hosting British and Irish Lions Test'

Qatar have built some momentum following the success of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and in the coming years British rugby fans may find themselves on a plane there to watch the Lions

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The National (Scotland)

Best XI: The World Cup players who shone through dark clouds at Qatar 2022

David Irvine picks his best XI from the World Cup in Qatar.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Demand for Messi, Mbappe Football Gear Spikes after World Cup

In the wake of Sunday's World Cup final football fans around the world have rushed to buy merchandise, with demand for Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe soccer club jerseys more than tripling, sports merchandise retailer Fanatics Inc told Reuters. Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw,…

Los Angeles Times

What lessons can the 2026 World Cup in North America learn from 2022?

Sunday's World Cup final, which ended with Lionel Messi finally grasping the one trophy he'd never won, was the most dramatic in tournament history. It was great theater, a bare-knuckle brawl that played out over 120 minutes and four rounds of penalty kicks before Argentina was declared the victor following…

France 24

The tops and flops of Qatar’s World Cup

The 2022 FIFA World Cup drew to a close on Sunday with a spectacular Argentinian victory over France’s Les Bleus in the final. FRANCE 24 takes a look at the highs and lows of the competition.

The Guardian - UK

The football in Qatar was great but Fifa had a stinker. It must do better for 2026

Argentina deserved to win the World Cup and it was lovely to see Morocco do well but the world’s governing body must learn from the lessons

The Guardian - UK

From Martínez to Mbappé: a World Cup 2022 team of the tournament

We select an XI, in a 4-3-3, that includes three players from surprise semi-finalists Morocco and one from England

AFP

After World Cup, Qatar seeks Olympic gold

Doha (AFP) - After the World Cup earned Qatar both plaudits and censure, the energy-rich Gulf state is now starting a marathon to secure the 2036 Olympics and a place as a pillar of world sport.

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