Following the conclusion of the ongoing 2022 tournament in Qatar, attention will turn to qualifying for the next World Cup due to take place in the summer of 2026. The tournament will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico and will expand to include 48 teams rather than the usual 32. However, that's posing major logistics concerns.
As per The Times, the 2026 World Cup is set to last at least five weeks instead of four to accommodate an expanded tournament in a move that is expected to infuriate European clubs and leagues.
In addition to the expansion, FIFA are reviewing its current plan of having 16 groups of three teams in the group stage, with two from each of those groups qualifying for the following round of the competition. The report adds that FIFA's leaders now favour a format that involves having 12 groups of four teams - primarily because more matches means more money from TV rights.
READ MORE: The five Tottenham players who benefited the most from Motherwell friendly win in front of Conte
The new tournament structure would mean 104 matches compared to 64 at the current World Cup in Qatar. As per the Sports Business Journal, experts have suggested that it would take "at least 35 days to fit in" compared with the 29 days for this tournament and the 32 in Russia four years ago.
As things stand, the tournament is set to run from June 8 until July 3, 2026. However, an extra week either side would present difficulties to clubs across the world, including some of the Premier League's biggest outfits in Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs. That's because it means less rest time for their players at the end of the season, as well as less time to work with players returning from the World Cup in pre-season camps.
There's also "growing concern" about potential three-team groups because the final matchday wouldn't involve one of the teams, so there's a fair play risk in the sense that the other two teams may wish to contrive a result that suits them both so that they both advance to the next round.
The proposal is ultimately likely to be met with some fury. Let's just wait to see what happens if it's officially announced.
READ NEXT:
When is the World Cup final and who are the predicted winners?
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
Arsenal star Ben White breaks silence on training return after England World Cup squad exit
Croatia and Mateo Kovacic aim to repeat Lionel Messi plan to avoid key Zinedine Zidane mistake
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
