Zurich: FIFA World Cup 2026 will be bigger and better with FIFA Council headed by their president Gianni Infantino on 14th March 2023 announcing new FIFA World Cup format with addition of 48 team from previous 32 teams also with this number of matches will increase to 104 games from previous 64. FIFA council has also approved 12 four-team groups.
FIFA World Cup will be hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico jointly from June 11- July 19.
Under the revised format 2026 World Cup will end in 39 days (about 1 and a half months) with the finalist to play 8 games, there is new round of 32 addition which will have top 8 third placed teams along with each group winners. With this new format, India’s chances to play FIFA 2026 have been boosted only if they qualify although its yet unknown that when actually the Qualifiers will begin but with 48 nations to make it to FIFA World Cup 2026, it is confirmed that the slot allocation for each continent will increase. FIFA Council has only confirmed slot allocation for UEFA from 13 in 2022 to 16 in 2026.
India’s 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier didn’t go very well as they were knocked out in group stage instead, they qualified for 2023 AFC Asia Cup with group winners in AFC Asia Cup qualifiers. AFC Asia Cup 2023 will be held in Qatar (2022 FIFA World Cup host) from 12 January to February 10, 2024. It is also expected in a few days the number of slots allocated for AFC will also be cleared, with 6 slots for 2022 World Cup (5 qualifiers + 1 host) will change to 8 (as rumored) for FIFA World Cup 2026, but for qualifying India have to give their strong performance in the qualifiers with likes of Islamic republic of Iran, Japan, Korea, etc., as top Asian giants to play.
