2026 World Cup: What you need to know as focus shifts to Canada, U.S., Mexico
As wild as this sounds, the 2026 World Cup cycle formally started on Monday because the 2022 version got here to an in depth.
Canada, the United States and Mexico will co-host the boys’s World Cup in 2026, which shall be a event of firsts. This is the primary time that three international locations will co-host the World Cup, which is able to increase from 32 to 48 groups.
However, there are nonetheless questions over the precise format with three and a half years remaining till kickoff, to not point out what the Canadian males’s nationwide group’s highway to 2026 will appear to be.
Here’s all the things it’s worthwhile to know concerning the 2026 World Cup and the buildup to the event.
When does the event start?
The particular dates have not been introduced by FIFA, however the World Cup will revert to its June-July schedule after switching to November and December this 12 months.
How many groups qualify from every confederation?
The breakdown of groups who qualify routinely is as follows:
Concacaf: 6 (together with hosts)
CONMEBOL: 6
UEFA: 16
CAF: 9
AFC: 8
OFC: 1
The remaining two spots will go to groups from the inter-confederation playoff. There shall be six playoff groups in complete: each confederation has one group, with Concacaf receiving two, whereas UEFA is the one confederation that may solely have automated spots in its qualifying marketing campaign. The format for figuring out the 2 playoff winners will not be but official.
Do the co-hosts routinely qualify?
Yes. Concacaf president Victor Montagliani confirmed to Doug McIntyre of FOX Sports that each one of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico will routinely qualify.
What would be the event format?
Initially, the 2026 World Cup was going to change to 16 totally different teams of three groups, with the highest two progressing to a spherical of 32.
However, FIFA has reconsidered that format change in current days, so we could find yourself with four-team teams in 2026.
That can be for the higher. For starters, it means 16 groups wouldn’t be eradicated after enjoying two matches. It additionally minimizes the danger of match manipulation.
If FIFA makes use of 12 teams with 4 groups and a spherical of 32 within the knockout stage, it’s possible that the highest two from every group advances with eight of the best-ranked third-place sides becoming a member of them.
Considering the drama and entertaining group-stage finales on show in Qatar, it could be for the very best.
Which cities will host video games?
Sixteen host cities had been awarded video games. Two are Canadian, 11 are within the U.S., and three are in Mexico.
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How many matches shall be performed in Canada?
FIFA hasn’t decided which cities will host particular matches, like the ultimate. But we do know that the U.S. will host each single match from the quarterfinals onwards, with Canada and Mexico receiving 10 video games every.
However, it’s not assured that the ten matches shall be cut up evenly between Vancouver’s BC Place and BMO Field in Toronto.
Transfermarkt’s Manuel Veth and Sportsnet’s Dan Riccio reported that Vancouver may have six matches and probably host the draw. It was the primary metropolis introduced by FIFA, which might not be a coincidence.
How will Canada put together with out qualifiers?
This is the golden query. Canada wants extra marquee matches in opposition to top-tier opposition in an effort to construct on this historic 2022 World Cup qualification.
Luckily, the group’s outstanding rise and World Cup look will flip Canada into a horny choice for friendlies in opposition to high quality opponents. The star energy of Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and others solely provides to that enchantment.
It’ll be tough to rearrange some friendlies with World Cup qualifying starting in 2023, to not point out UEFA Nations League. However, there needs to be gaps within the calendar.
In the meantime, Canada finishes its Concacaf Nations League group stage motion in March in opposition to Honduras and Curacao. Topping the group means development to the semifinals in opposition to the likes of Mexico and the U.S. with an opportunity to raise a trophy.
The 2023 Gold Cup will kickoff shortly thereafter, and Canada shall be favoured to win it.
But dealing with the Concacaf giants isn’t ultimate preparation to face the world’s superpowers in 2026.
That’s the place an invitation to the 2024 Copa América to battle South America’s elite can be massively useful. A supply inside Canada Soccer confirmed to Sportsnet that the federation has been invited, which might be an amazing alternative for the squad.
It goes with out saying that dealing with Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and different respected nations would do wonders for Canada.
The event might find yourself being nearer to dwelling, too. Amid reviews that Copa América could be hosted within the United States, CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez claimed that each one choices are being thought-about.
Stay tuned, however it’s trying optimistic that we’d see Canada on the 2024 Copa América.
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