The 2030 FIFA World Cup will be played across three continents in six countries. It will be the first time a World Cup will be played across continent
The 2030 FIFA World Cup will be played across three continents in six countries. It will be the first time a World Cup will be played across continents.
48 teams will compete in the 2026 edition set to be played in North America in the USA-CANADA-MEXICO in the summer of 2026. It will be the first time a 48-team World Cup will be organised.
Per reports in the New York Times, a proposal was made by Ignacio Alonso, the president of the Uruguayan Football Association, one of the delegates of the FIFA council meeting on Wednesday on the 64-team competition in 20230.
Uruguay will be one of three South American countries to host a “centenary celebration match” in 2030. Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, agreed to explore the idea further.
Evolution of the number of participants at the World Cup since 1930
The World Cup has seen many changes since 1930 as 13 teams played in the maiden edition from 3 Confederations. 1934, three more teams were added to make it 16 in the finals from four different Confederations.
15 teams played in 1938 FIFA World Cup from four Confederations.
13 teams in 1950 from 3 Confederations comforted after a long break from the competition due to World War.
A return to 16 teams was organised from 1954 until 1982.
24 teams from 6 Confederations started competing in the Spain 82 World Cup until the USA 94 World Cup.
Huge changes were made by FIFA to ensure more countries participate. The 32-team World Cup was started in 1998 when France hosted and won, and it has remained throughout to Qatar 2022.
The 2026 World Cup will have 48 teams for the first time, and the next, which will be the Centenario, might have an unbelievable 64 teams competing across 3 continents in 6 countries battling for the ultimate prize.
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