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hcbaron OP t1_ixqmzdz wrote

Reply to comment by mist3rdragon in TIL the 2026 World Cup will be the first Cup to host 48 teams instead of the usual 32. by hcbaron

Yes, that's one of them major complaints of this new format, because it makes collusion easier. They are considering 12 groups of 4 also. It's not fully decided yet I believe.

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Ephemeral-Throwaway t1_iy7r493 wrote

If they do it, then 12 groups of 4 is better.

But it basically makes the group stage a formality for the big nations, there's barely any jeaopardy as 8 of the 12 3rd place finishes will go through.

The one thing it could be interpreted as though is that it is a festival of football for the group stage, a chance for teams to get a rhythm going and then the real business starts with the last 32 stage.

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