La Liga discontent with FIFA after changes to competition formats

• La Liga discontent with FIFA after changes to competition formats.
• FIFA announced on Tuesday that the expanded 2026 men’s World Cup in NA.
• FIFA decided to change its mind after a dramatic group stage at the tournament in Qatar.

Spain’s top association La Liga accepts that FIFA has shown “complete negligence” for the significance of public rivalries after a 32-group Club World Cup, as well as an extended World Cup, was supported by the game’s overseeing body.

FIFA, the global governing body of football, announced on Tuesday that the expanded 2026 men’s World Cup in North America will begin with 12 groups of four teams, rather than the 16 groups of three teams that were originally planned.

This indicates that 104 matches will be played, a significant increase from the 64 games played at the tournament last year.

LaLiga said, “FIFA continues its malpractice of making unilateral decisions on the world football calendar, showing complete disregard for the importance of national championships, and the football community in general,”

“FIFA completely neglects the economic damage these decisions inflict on leagues around the world. Leagues were not consulted about any of the changes presented today, especially about the new annual club competition…

“These decisions do not take into account the competitive, sporting and economic impact on national leagues, clubs and players, by further cramming an already overloaded schedule. FIFA only takes into account a small group of clubs and players…”

When the World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026, FIFA originally planned for 16 groups of three teams, with the top two teams moving on to the last 32.

The eight best teams in third place, in addition to the top two teams in each group, will advance to the knockout stage under the new decided format.

As a result, instead of the current seven games, the finalists, third-place teams, and fourth-place teams will play eight games.

FIFA decided to change its mind after a dramatic group stage at the tournament in Qatar convinced them.

In December, FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated, “The groups of four have been absolutely incredible until the last minute of the last match.”

Tuesday’s choice was reported following a FIFA Gathering meeting in the Rwandan capital Kigali, at which it affirmed the following men’s Reality Cup last will be played on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

Since Infantino is running unopposed for re-election at the FIFA Congress on Thursday, it is likely that he will be accepted for a second four-year term as president.

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