"It's a pity, but we'll watch it on TV. Maybe in Bishkek..." - Alexei Andronov on the new format of the World Cup with 48 teams

Famous Russian journalist Alexei Andronov commented on FIFA's decision to increase the number of World Cup participants to 48 teams starting from 2026 as well as the adopted format of the group stage of the World Cup with 12 groups of 4 teams each (instead of the original formula of 16 groups with 3 teams).

"For once I want to thank FIFA! Thank you for getting away from the nonsense of having 3 teams in a group! Made a good scheme, it will be a fun tournament.

It's a pity, but we'll watch it on TV. Maybe in Bishkek...", Andronov wrote in his Telegram channel.