Beijing, May 12: FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom said on Tuesday that preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain on track, while also expressing optimism about the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to kick off on June 11 and will be the first edition featuring 48 teams instead of 32. “The preparations are going very well. We’re very excited. Only a few days left for the tournament to start,” Grafstrom said during his visit to China.
“The first World Cup with 48 teams, I think, will be a great success. 16 more teams will have the opportunity to enjoy the World Cup experience,” he added.
The expanded format is expected to give more nations access to football’s biggest tournament, particularly from Asia, Africa, and North America, although it has also drawn debate over fixture congestion, player workload, and the overall balance of the competition, reports Xinhua.
Grafstrom said the wider participation could have a significant long-term impact on football development. “The impact of the World Cup on a country, on its grassroots football, professional level, and fan base is truly difficult to quantify,” he said. “We’re very much looking forward to seeing this tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It’s going to be very exciting. And I’m sure it will create a lot of passion all around the world, and in China, of course,” he added.
During his visit to China’s National Football Youth Training Centre, Grafstrom also praised China’s five-tier youth academy system, which covers national, regional, city, and county levels. (IANS)
