1.10.17
ASN Morning Read: The World Cup is Getting Bigger
The FIFA council voted to expand the World Cup to 48 teams beginning in 2026, a format which will feature 16 groups of three teams. Allocations are yet to be decided, but that should be a fun debate.
BY
Jesse Yomtov
Posted
January 10, 2017
3:00 AM
January 10, 2017
3:00 AM
The FIFA Council unanimously decided on a 48-team #WorldCup as of 2026:
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) January 10, 2017
16 groups of 3 teams. Details to follow after the meeting.
The new format will feature 80 games – up from 64 – but the champion will still play only seven.
- Never given a real chance under Jurgen Klinsmann, Juan Agudelo is ready for a fresh start: "I am going to go out there and try to steal a starting spot."
- Dax McCarty is getting married in the middle of January camp: "I had to say, ‘By the way Bruce, sorry I’m getting married four days after camp starts and I’m going to have to ask you for some time to do that.’"
“He was very understanding. He said ‘If you’re lucky you only get married once, so enjoy it.’”
- Low wages tend to be a hardship for many athletes in the NWSL, but this quartet brought an entrepreneurial spirit to their passion for soccer, and the results are very encouraging.