The World Cup group stage format for 2026 was changed to 12 groups of four teams from 16 groups of three by FIFA’s Council on Tuesday, increasing the total to 104 matches from 64 in the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
NEW FORMAT
To win a World Cup, a nation must play eight games, up from the seven since 1974. The top two teams in each group and the top eight third-place teams will advance to a new round of 32 that starts the knockout phase. Advancement for third-place teams was eliminated in 1998 when the tournament expanded from 24 teams to 32.
MORE GAMES
This story is from the March 18, 2023 edition of Cricket Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 18, 2023 edition of Cricket Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Is Sarfaraz Khan A Flash In The Pan?
Sarfaraz's international performance has been inconsistent and underwhelming. His recent outings have left many questioning whether he's truly ready for the pressures of the highest level or if his success in domestic cricket is simply a flash in the pan.
5 Players Who Don't Deserve A Spot In The Indian Test Team
Virat Kohli, once the backbone of India's batting lineup, is struggling to find his footing. The once-reliable batsman and former captain is now far from his peak, with his recent performances suggesting he may be holding India back. Kohli's record in 2024 has been underwhelming...
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma: Are They Still The Best? It's Time For A Rethink
The time has come. You probably know their names. You probably also know the countless number of games they have won for their country at the back of their audacious skills with the bat. But now, as seen in recent times, you also know...
J.T. POSTON WINS THIRD CAREER PGA TOUR TITLE
He made three birdies in a four-hole stretch on the back nine of the final round and led by four shots with three holes to play. Poston still had to sweat it out to the very last putt...
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA LIVED UP TO ALL THE HYPE AS AN NBA ROOKIE. IN YEAR 2, THE SPURS STAR WANTS MORE
If San Antonio is going to get back into the playoff mix this season, Wembanyama will have to be one of the biggest reasons why. Still officially listed at 7-foot-3 by the he looks at least Spurs a couple of inches taller, though he says he hasn't grown...
MESSI MANIA HELPS DRIVE RECORD GROWTH FOR MLS
Two matches exceeded 70,000 fans and five matches exceeded 50,000. In an April match at Arrowhead Stadium, there were 72,610 on hand to watch Lionel Messi and Inter Miami play Sporting Kansas City...
FROM COACH CAL AT ARKANSAS TO ALABAMA'S TITLE PURSUIT.STORYLINES ABOUND IN SEC FILLED WITH TALENT "
Arkansas is No. 16 despite Calipari having to rebuild the entire roster. Kentucky is at No. 23 under Mark Pope, who played for the Wildcats in the 1990s before leaving BYU after last season for what was always his dream job...
NEW ZEALAND WINS CRICKET'S WOMEN'S T20 WORLD CUP FOR FIRST TIME
The White Ferns added to their one-day title at the 2000 Cricket World Cup and became the first New Zealand team to win a T20 World Cup, with the men's team - the Black Caps - yet to achieve this feat...
NEW ZEALAND WHITE FERNS SPLIT US$2.3 MILLION AFTER WINNING T20 WORLD CUP
New Zealand's first-ever victory in the World Cup of cricket's shortest format was a massive surprise. The White Ferns had lost 10 consecutive T20 matches before beating South Africa in a warm-up match. That pre-tournament...
DAVID WARNER'S LEADERSHIP BAN ENDS
Warner received a penalty for his role in the 2018 sandpaper scandal in South Africa, on top of a one-year ban from cricket, which was also imposed on Steve Smith, with a lesser playing suspension given to Cameron Bancroft.
