FIFA to Expand World Cup in Face of European Club Opposition
- Field will expand to 48 teams from 32 starting in 2026
- Move based on political reasons: European Club Association
This article is for subscribers only.
Sport’s most-watched event, the soccer World Cup tournament, has been expanded to include 48 teams, a move that met with opposition from Europe’s elite clubs.
The increase from the current 32 teams will come into effect from the 2026 event, governing body FIFA said Tuesday, a decision that it expects to boost revenue by as much as 25 percent to more than $6.5 billion while diluting the “absolute quality” of the competition.