Alexey Andronov: “16 groups of 3 teams at the 2026 World Cup are bullshit”

Well-known Russian journalist Aleksey Andronov expressed his opinion on the format of the next World Cup, in which 48 teams will play for the first time in history.

“While there is time, I want to talk about the future. As you know, this is the last World Cup in the current scheme. In 2026 there will be 48 teams.

When the Euro was expanded from 16 to 24 teams, I was definitely FOR it. There are several reasons - 18-22 teams in Europe are slightly inferior to 12-16. More members = more engagement. And plus - 3rd places began to come out, that is, the last round has ceased to be a meaningless formalism and an arena for Nordic Victory.

At the World Cup (so far) 16 groups of 3 teams are planned (two go out). For me, this is bullshit, it only provokes silent agreements. But there is no solution yet, there are other formats, with groups of 4 teams.

I see the following option as ideal - 12 groups of 4. Winners + 4 best second places come out. The 8 remaining 2nd + 8 best 3rds play a play-in (first round). They then play with the 4 best second + 4 worst first (second round). And only from the 3rd, the best winners (8 teams) of the groups join. In total, 32 teams enter the playoffs, the leaders will start from 1/8, just like now.

But let's see what FIFA decides in the end.

In the meantime, let's see who exactly will play for us? Which teams will be added based on the selection results for the 2022 World Cup?

It is clear that this is a convention, and it is clear that I do not take Russia into account. But still:

Asia (now 5 seats + joint, there will be 8 + joint) - UAE, Oman, Iraq will be added (we believe that Qatar will pass the qualification)

Africa (now 5 seats, will be 9 + joint) - Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Mali and DR Congo joint

CONCACAF (now 3+ joint, will be 6+ joint). USA, Canada and Mexico are already in the final. Additive - Costa Rica, Panama and Jamaica

CONMEBOL (now 4 + joint, will be 6 + joint) - Peru, Colombia + Chile joint

Oceania (currently 1 via junction, will be 1+junction) - New Zealand

Europe (now 13, will be 16) - Ukraine, Sweden, North Macedonia. Italy needs to play better ;))

What do you think, what are your thoughts?” Andronov wrote in his telegram channel.