FIFA revises 2026 World Cup group-stage format, which could be a good thing for KC

Pete Grathoff
·2 min read

When the 2026 World Cup comes to the United States, Canada and Mexico, it will look vastly different from what fans saw last year in Qatar.

Starting in 1998, 32 countries were placed in eight four-team groups and that format continued through the games in Qatar. The top two finishers advanced to a 16-team knockout bracket.

But beginning with the 2026 World Cup, there will be 48 teams competing. An initial FIFA proposal was to have 16 groups of three teams. The top two finishers would then advance to a 32-team knockout stage.

That meant 80 games would be played, a modest increase from 64 that were held a year ago.

But FIFA ditched that plan this week.

Reuters reported that FIFA approved a plan for the 2026 World Cup to have 12 four-team groups. The top two nations will advance along with the eight best third-placed teams, creating a 32-country knockout stage.

“Based on a thorough review that considered sporting integrity, player welfare, team travel, commercial and sporting attractiveness, as well as team and fan experience, the FIFA Council unanimously approved the proposed amendment to the FIFA World Cup 2026 competition format,” FIFA said on its website. “The revised format mitigates the risk of collusion and ensures that all the teams play a minimum of three matches, while providing balanced rest time between competing teams.”

That new format means there will be 104 matches played, an increase of 24 from the original plan.

The Athletic reported the 2026 World Cup matches will be held in a 39-day window, 10 days longer than the Qatar tournament.

What it means for KC

Kansas City is one of 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup, and the New York Times reported the new format will “force organizers to clear more dates” for games.

For Kansas City, that could mean one or two more matches at Arrowhead Stadium than originally had been thought in a three-nation group stage.

FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani, the president of CONCACAF, told the New York Times there could be as many as six games played each day during the group stage. Typically that number is three, except in the final games of group stage when it’s four.

Adding a game or two at Arrowhead Stadium means the tournament would be played for a longer duration in Kansas City. Even an extra day or two would be a boon for local hotels, restaurants — and soccer fans.