FIFA seeks solution to allocate 16 additional slots at 2026 World Cup

Next month, FIFA will officially allocate 16 additional places for the 2026 World Cup to the continents. But from now on, the race for places has begun.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has made the biggest change to the World Cup since 1998. Photo: AFP

Initially, Asia and Africa were expected to benefit the most from the increased quota. However, after the FIFA General Assembly officially approved the 2026 World Cup to have 48 participating teams, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed at a press conference: "No continent has yet guaranteed how many more places will be added. This will be discussed and we will announce it as soon as possible."

Mr. Infantino also refuted the accusation that FIFA increased the number of teams to 48 for the purpose of increasing profits, affirming: "This decision is entirely for the benefit of sports. FIFA has abundant finances, so it does not increase the number of teams to make money."

In fact, to get the idea of ​​increasing the number of teams in the 2026 World Cup approved, in addition to the absolute support of member federations from Asia and Africa, Mr. Infantino also needed the support of the European, South American and CONCACAF regions (North, Central America and the Caribbean). So after approval, the above federations also spoke up to ask FIFA to increase the number of 16 additional slots for their continent.

According to the current allocation for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups with 32 teams, Africa has 5 slots; Asia 4.5 slots; Europe 13 slots; CONCACAF 3.5 slots; Oceania 0.5 slots; South America 4.5 slots and 1 slot for the host country. From the 2026 World Cup with 48 teams, FIFA plans to increase the total for Africa to 9 slots; Asia 8.5 slots; CONCACAF and South America each have 6.5 slots; Oceania 1.5 slots and Europe 16 slots. If so, the host country of the 2026 World Cup will likely have to compete in the qualifying round.

Mr. Infantino denied increasing the number of teams participating in the World Cup for financial reasons. Photo: AFP

FIFA also revealed that there are currently 3 countries applying to co-host the 2026 World Cup: the US, Canada and Mexico. The increase to 48 teams will be divided into 16 groups (3 teams each), playing a round-robin to select the top 2 teams to enter the knockout round (32 teams). There will be a total of 80 matches, played in 12 stadiums and also taking place within 32 days, the team playing the most will also play 7 matches like the World Cup finals with 32 teams. However, in the group stage, there is a possibility that all 3 teams in the same group will have the same points and sub-indexes. FIFA has not yet decided whether to choose the team to continue by penalty shootout or will be based on the position of the FIFA rankings.

All these questions will be decided by FIFA, after discussions with the six continental confederations next month.

According to TNO