Does that mean all 3 automatically qualify then? As hosts usually qualify without having to go through all games. Three places already taken before qualifiers even start. Will have to mean very little chance of many other North American sides qualifying.
I doubt it will work like that. More likely Europe will lose a place or two. Besides, aren't there supposed to be 48 teams as from 2022? Meaning it'll be virtually impossible to get knocked out in the group stages unless you're truly woeful.
Th The 48 team idea was scrapped wasn’t it? This year that region only has 3 teams so if in 2026 it’s still a 32 team tournament one region will have to lose some places or no one else from North America can get in
Scrapped for Qatar, but it will come in in time for 2026. Have a read here, it sounds completely awful. Back to the bad old days of teams being in a position to play out draws in their final group game knowing it will take them both through. https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...teams-how-the-2026-world-cup-will-work-united
To answer everyone's question about whether the teams will all qualify automatically, FIFA said today 'not necessarily'.
So Canada, a country with very little interest in football anyway, could end up hosting the World Cup without its team being one of the 48 participating? This just gets dafter and dafter.
If they are going to enlarge the tournament then make it 64 teams with a round of 32. It would add one game onto any team that progressed beyond the round of thirty two. It would also be inclusive so that the lesser teams would get a chance to see what a World Cup is all about, you know teams that really wouldn't have a chance of qualifying otherwise, you know like errr.... Scotland ? eh Ian ?
I was never keen on the idea of countries co-hosting tournaments when they started it with Belgium & Holland at Euro '00, and then S.Korea & Japan at WC '02. But it does make sense for some smaller countries to co-host like Austria & Switzerland at Euro '08, Poland & Ukraine at Euro '12. Why don't we/England make a joint British bid now with Wales & Scotchland ?.
Thought it had been scrapped altogether and after reading that on how it will work they should have. That format sounds awful
I wondered just how long it would take before some pillock was to bring Scotland into this debate. HaHa But you are right Dave. Don't think it would matter how many teams were involved we'd still struggle.
Aww I was hoping to get a better bite than that Don't worry we're still living off 1966 and a couple of decent semi finals. Yours truly, Mr A. Pillock
1966? Did something happen? Can't say I've ever been aware of anything significant happening tbh. Nothing ever gets mentioned.