The 2026 World Cup, currently taking place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, marks the first tournament expanded to 48 teams. This increase in the number of teams means more matches overall and additionally adds an extra round of 16.
Moreover, the competition system has changed from previous World Cups, as instead of only the top two from each group qualifying, the eight best third-placed teams from the total of 12 groups will also advance.
These modifications have made it easier to reach this final phase of the World Cup and to progress to the next round, alongside a competition that lasts longer, up to 39 days.
All this has led to some criticism from those opposed to FIFA's new proposal, claiming a supposed loss of interest that, however, does not seem to have affected either the television audiences who are following the World Cup with fervour or other quite revealing indicators, such as sports betting. Bets on leading platforms like One Football ES, whose high volume is always indicative of the excitement and passion a match or tournament generates.
The atmosphere in the streets of most participating countries also points in the same direction, with massive crowds attending giant screens set up in cities like Madrid to watch the matches.
The rise in level of many supposed underdogs
It is evident that the expansion of the final phase of the World Cup to 48 teams turns the championship into an even more global and participatory phenomenon, with the corresponding economic implications that this also entails.
Additionally, this new format provides a fantastic opportunity for humble teams to measure themselves against the best, which is very valuable for these more modest teams in terms of raising their competitive level, even if there may be some quite lopsided scores.
However, contrary to what the most virulent criticisms warned, the level of competition has not been undermined, as reflected by the surprising results that have occurred.
Of course, we have witnessed blowouts from favourite teams like Germany, but it is equally true that theoretically much stronger teams have failed to overcome very weak teams on paper. The examples of Spain and Portugal in their respective matches against Cape Verde and the DR Congo, which ended in draws that were not in the predictions, attest to this.
Exciting knockout rounds
Given the background of the group stage, we can anticipate more exciting than dull round of 16 matches, since even if weaker teams reach the knockout stage, we know that they have already achieved their objectives with mere qualification and will go in with less pressure, while teams considered as favourites will bear the full weight of expectation upon them. This circumstance complicates matters and makes the favourites' status more relative.
Everything points to a rise in the global level of teams, towards a relative homogeneity that is precisely what makes football one of the most special sports.
Equality and uncertainty
The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams introduces a new dynamic in global football, with greater inclusion and a wider range of teams having the opportunity to compete on the most important stage. Although there are criticisms regarding quality and format, the tournament's development so far shows that interest is not waning but remains high, with numerous unpredictable results and increasingly smaller differences between favourites and “Cinderellas”. This process points to greater equality in world football, further contributing to the uncertainty and appeal of the tournament. Precisely this unpredictability and greater global representation confirm that the new format, despite the controversies, manages to maintain and even expand the relevance of the World Cup as the most important football event.
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