The new version of the World Cup is taking shape: 12 groups of 4, a different distribution between the continents and… 40 additional matches

It has already been acquired since 2017: there will be 48 participating nations from the next World Cup against 32 in the last editions. An increased number which forces FIFA to completely review the way in which the competition will take place.

Basically, FIFA planned to divide the 48 teams into 16 groups of 3, with the top two from each group qualifying for the knockout stage which would begin with the round of 16. But for several weeks, some sources have been talking about a turnaround within FIFA.

In its edition of this Tuesday, the Gazzetta dello Sport advances the details of the new format of the next World Cup. The 48 teams would therefore be divided into 12 groups of 4. The group phase would therefore take place in the same way as in the last editions, with a series of meetings at a furious pace. As is already the case, the top two from each group would automatically qualify for the knockout stage. On the other hand, the 8 best thirds (out of 12 groups) would also qualify. Of this first phase with 72 games in all, only 16 of the 48 teams would be eliminated.

For the remaining 32 teams, the knockout stage should start with the round of 32 for a more traditional format until the final. All for a total of 104 games against 64 in recent years.

A different distribution

La Gazzetta dello Sport also reveals the distribution of countries by continent, which changes with the increase in the number of teams. Thus Europe will be able to count on 16 representatives in the future against 13 currently. Africa would go from 5 to 9 representatives minimum, Asia would be entitled to 8 participants, 6 for North America and South America and even Oceania would have a minimum of one representative at the World Cup (not counting Australia who is competing in the Asian qualifiers).

Finally, the last two places would be awarded by intercontinental play-offs involving nations from all continents, with the exception of Europe.

The detail of the format of European qualifications for the next World Cup, which will begin in 2025, has also already been explained by the Italian newspaper. Thus, there would be 12 qualifying groups (4 groups of 4, with the Nations League finalists as seeds, and 8 groups of 5) into which the 54 nations will be divided (Russia being excluded). The first 12 of the group would qualify directly for the World Cup. The eight best runners-up should fight in the playoffs for the last four qualifying places.