World Cup 2026: Buildup to blockbuster semi-finals, Infantino hints at 64-team expansion – live
Key events
I must say I’m torn. Of course, I’m prejudiced against it simply by virtue of Infantino wanting it, but I can’t deny that expanded competitions – in the Euros too – give us something different, countries otherwise excluded enriching the experience. Moreover, were we to go to 64, we’d be rid of the third-place qualification situation, which allows teams to move on having beaten the worst side in their group and no more; we’d no longer play 72 matches to lose just 16 teams. Or, in other words, an expanded field is cleaner – though qualification would be even more tedious than before, and I wonder how, infrastructurally, any host would be able to facilitate so many teams, not just in terms of grounds, but hotels, training facilities, media and so on.
Let’s start with Infantino latest:
How do we feel about this?
Preamble
Hello there one and all and welcome to day one of our final World Cup week!
Yes, we’re in the middle of a trying 63-hour run of no actual football, but together we’ll get through it – I promise.
So let’s spend today reflecting on what we’ve seen, considering what we’re going to see, and generally discussing all things Beautiful GameTM.
Let’s go!
