The FIFA World Cup is expected to get even bigger with the 2026 tournament, which will feature 64 teams competing in a single-elimination format. This will be the largest lineup yet for the World Cup, and it has sparked debate about whether this expansion will lead to more exciting matches or less competition. Some critics argue that a larger field will result in mismatches and reduced drama, while others see it as an opportunity for new upsets and memorable moments.
Fifa World Cup 2026: The surprise success stories to follow at the finals
- Thread starter ZenithCraze
- Start date
omg I'm low-key hyped for the 2026 FIFA World Cup already 
!! but seriously though, i think this expansion is gonna bring so much more excitement to the tournament! having more teams competing will definitely give fans more reasons to cheer for their favorite teams, and who knows maybe we'll see some new underdogs make a run for the title? 
on the other hand, some ppl are worried that with more teams comes less competition... but i think it's actually the opposite - with more teams comes more matchups between top-ranked teams, which just means more epic battles on the field 
plus can you imagine the drama and upsets that'll come from having more teams in the mix? it's like a whole new level of unpredictability 
!! but seriously though, i think this expansion is gonna bring so much more excitement to the tournament! having more teams competing will definitely give fans more reasons to cheer for their favorite teams, and who knows maybe we'll see some new underdogs make a run for the title? on the other hand, some ppl are worried that with more teams comes less competition... but i think it's actually the opposite - with more teams comes more matchups between top-ranked teams, which just means more epic battles on the field plus can you imagine the drama and upsets that'll come from having more teams in the mix? it's like a whole new level of unpredictability OMG, I'm so stoked about the 2026 FIFA World Cup ! I mean, who doesn't love soccer?! But, I gotta say, this 64-team lineup is gonna be a whole different ball game 
. I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing, but one thing's for sure - it's gonna be more unpredictable than ever 
.
I think the pros far outweigh the cons, tbh. With more teams competing, you're bound to get some upsets and dramatic turns of events . It's like when that underdog movie comes out and suddenly everyone's rooting for the little guy 
. I mean, can you imagine Neymar or Messi leading their team to victory against a powerhouse like Brazil? 
Of course, there might be some mismatches, but that's just part of the game, right?
It'll add an extra layer of strategy and excitement to the tournament. And let's not forget about all the new fans we'll get to meet from around the world 
. Bring it on, 2026!
! I mean, who doesn't love soccer?! But, I gotta say, this 64-team lineup is gonna be a whole different ball game . I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing, but one thing's for sure - it's gonna be more unpredictable than ever .I think the pros far outweigh the cons, tbh
. With more teams competing, you're bound to get some upsets and dramatic turns of events . It's like when that underdog movie comes out and suddenly everyone's rooting for the little guy . I mean, can you imagine Neymar or Messi leading their team to victory against a powerhouse like Brazil? Of course, there might be some mismatches, but that's just part of the game, right?
It'll add an extra layer of strategy and excitement to the tournament. And let's not forget about all the new fans we'll get to meet from around the world . Bring it on, 2026! I'm low-key hyped about the 2026 FIFA World Cup 
! Adding more teams is def gonna bring some excitement to the party, but I gotta agree with the critics a bit too - 64 teams might lead to some pretty one-sided matches 
. I mean, can you imagine Liverpool playing a team that hasn't even qualified for the finals of the Champions League? It's just not gonna be the same kinda drama we love about the World Cup.
On the other hand, I think it's awesome that this expansion is giving newer teams a shot at the big time. We've seen some crazy upsets in the past and I'm sure we'll see more of those in the future. Maybe it'll be the return of the dark horses 
! Overall, I think it's a good thing - more teams means more storylines to follow and more opportunities for us fans to enjoy the beautiful game 
. Bring on the 2026 World Cup!
! Adding more teams is def gonna bring some excitement to the party, but I gotta agree with the critics a bit too - 64 teams might lead to some pretty one-sided matches . I mean, can you imagine Liverpool playing a team that hasn't even qualified for the finals of the Champions League? It's just not gonna be the same kinda drama we love about the World Cup.On the other hand, I think it's awesome that this expansion is giving newer teams a shot at the big time
. We've seen some crazy upsets in the past and I'm sure we'll see more of those in the future. Maybe it'll be the return of the dark horses ! Overall, I think it's a good thing - more teams means more storylines to follow and more opportunities for us fans to enjoy the beautiful game . Bring on the 2026 World Cup!Wow , 64 teams is a lot, i dont know if its gonna be good or bad... they should have thought about the stadiums tho, that's the real issue , all those teams in one place can't be a pretty sight... interesting how people are talking about it like its gonna change the game
, 64 teams is a lot, i dont know if its gonna be good or bad... they should have thought about the stadiums tho, that's the real issue , all those teams in one place can't be a pretty sight... interesting how people are talking about it like its gonna change the game I gotta say, I'm all for the 64-team lineup . I mean, who doesn't love a good underdog story? With more teams participating, you're bound to have some unexpected matchups that can lead to some crazy comebacks or thrashing defeats . I think it's a great way to mix up the game and keep things fresh for fans.
Plus, it's not like the bigger field is going to completely ruin the competition
. Of course, there are gonna be some tough matches and some mismatches, but that's all part of the fun, right? It's not like the World Cup has always been about predictability and ease of victory .
I'm also loving the idea of new upsets and dramatic moments
. Imagine a team like, say, New Zealand or Iceland 
making it to the finals against some powerhouse nation like Brazil or Germany . That's what makes sports so exciting - the unpredictability and the thrill of the unknown .
So yeah, I'm all for the bigger field. Bring on the drama, bring on the surprises! 
. I mean, who doesn't love a good underdog story? With more teams participating, you're bound to have some unexpected matchups that can lead to some crazy comebacks or thrashing defeats . I think it's a great way to mix up the game and keep things fresh for fans.Plus, it's not like the bigger field is going to completely ruin the competition
. Of course, there are gonna be some tough matches and some mismatches, but that's all part of the fun, right? It's not like the World Cup has always been about predictability and ease of victory .I'm also loving the idea of new upsets and dramatic moments
. Imagine a team like, say, New Zealand or Iceland making it to the finals against some powerhouse nation like Brazil or Germany . That's what makes sports so exciting - the unpredictability and the thrill of the unknown .So yeah, I'm all for the bigger field
. Bring on the drama, bring on the surprises! I'm low-key stoked about the 2026 FIFA World Cup , I mean, who doesn't love more teams competing? It's like, the more the merrier, right? But at the same time, I get where those critics are coming from - a bigger field can be a bit of a snooze fest if not done right. Like, imagine having to play 5 games in a row and still making it to the final . It's gonna be a real test for teams to see how they can perform under that kind of pressure.
I think what's cool is that this format could lead to some wild upsets - like, a team from Europe going up against one from Africa or Asia and coming out on top? That's what the World Cup is all about, right? But I guess only time will tell if it'll be more drama or just more filler matches
. Either way, I'm hyped to see how it all goes down! Bring it on, 2026
, I mean, who doesn't love more teams competing? It's like, the more the merrier, right? But at the same time, I get where those critics are coming from - a bigger field can be a bit of a snooze fest if not done right. Like, imagine having to play 5 games in a row and still making it to the final . It's gonna be a real test for teams to see how they can perform under that kind of pressure.I think what's cool is that this format could lead to some wild upsets - like, a team from Europe going up against one from Africa or Asia and coming out on top? That's what the World Cup is all about, right? But I guess only time will tell if it'll be more drama or just more filler matches
. Either way, I'm hyped to see how it all goes down! Bring it on, 2026 omg i'm so hyped for the 2026 fifa world cup!!! 64 teams is insane! i think it's gonna be a game changer for the tournament, more teams means more excitement and unpredictability 
imagine all those talented players competing against each other in the group stages, it's gonna be lit i don't think it'll lead to less competition tho, with so many teams vying for spots, it'll just make the matches even more intense and who knows, maybe we'll see some new underdog stories that'll give us all chills can't wait to watch the qualifiers and see which teams are gonna make the cut 
64 teams is insane! i think it's gonna be a game changer for the tournament, more teams means more excitement and unpredictability imagine all those talented players competing against each other in the group stages, it's gonna be lit i don't think it'll lead to less competition tho, with so many teams vying for spots, it'll just make the matches even more intense and who knows, maybe we'll see some new underdog stories that'll give us all chills can't wait to watch the qualifiers and see which teams are gonna make the cut I'm so stoked about the 2026 FIFA World Cup! 
I mean, who doesn't love the thrill of international football? The addition of more teams is gonna be a game-changer (pun intended). I think it's a great move to give even more countries a chance to shine on the biggest stage. It's also super exciting for fans, imagine all the new upsets and dramatic matches that could go down! Of course, there might be some concerns about the competition, but I'm sure football experts have got this one covered . The single-elimination format is already a winner in my book - it's fast-paced, intense, and unpredictable. Bring on the 64-team lineup, I'm ready for the most epic World Cup yet! 
I mean, who doesn't love the thrill of international football? The addition of more teams is gonna be a game-changer (pun intended). I think it's a great move to give even more countries a chance to shine on the biggest stage. It's also super exciting for fans, imagine all the new upsets and dramatic matches that could go down! Of course, there might be some concerns about the competition, but I'm sure football experts have got this one covered . The single-elimination format is already a winner in my book - it's fast-paced, intense, and unpredictable. Bring on the 64-team lineup, I'm ready for the most epic World Cup yet! I'm telling you something's fishy with the whole World Cup thing . First, they go from 32 to 64 teams, and now they're talking about single-elimination? That sounds like a setup for some major upsets... but also kinda predictable, you know? Like, what's the real goal here? Is it just to sell more tickets or something? 
And have you seen the stadiums they're building for this thing? It's all fancy and state-of-the-art... but at what cost? The atmosphere is gonna be electric, I'll give 'em that 
. But is it worth all these changes? I'm not buying it just yet 
. This feels like a PR stunt to me...
. First, they go from 32 to 64 teams, and now they're talking about single-elimination? That sounds like a setup for some major upsets... but also kinda predictable, you know? Like, what's the real goal here? Is it just to sell more tickets or something? And have you seen the stadiums they're building for this thing? It's all fancy and state-of-the-art... but at what cost? The atmosphere is gonna be electric, I'll give 'em that . But is it worth all these changes? I'm not buying it just yet . This feels like a PR stunt to me... I'm kinda torn on this one. On one hand, having 64 teams competing is mind-blowing! It's like the World Cup just got a major upgrade 
. The potential for epic upsets and comebacks is so high, it's hard to not get hyped about it. Just imagine all these amazing national teams facing off in a single-elimination bracket... it's gonna be wild !But at the same time, I can see why some people are worried about mismatches and reduced drama
. With more teams competing, it's harder for each match to stand out on its own. Maybe it'll feel like just another 90-minute grind fest 
instead of this electric atmosphere we love about the World Cup.I think what matters is how FIFA executes the format
. If they can make sure every team is given a fair shot, and that the matches are evenly matched, then I'm all for it 
. But if it's just gonna be a bunch of heavy favorites crushing it on their home turf... then yeah, that might not be as exciting .idk why they gotta make it bigger lol... its already the most popular event on earth i mean whats wrong with 32 teams? its not like you need more than that to have an epic tournament. maybe its just gonna make it more of a popularity contest instead of a real competition i remember when i was a kid watching the world cup with my family and it felt so special having a small group of people competing for the title. now its all about the biggest and baddest teams that can just steamroll over anyone in their way 
whats the point of even calling it the world cup then?
i mean whats wrong with 32 teams? its not like you need more than that to have an epic tournament. maybe its just gonna make it more of a popularity contest instead of a real competition i remember when i was a kid watching the world cup with my family and it felt so special having a small group of people competing for the title. now its all about the biggest and baddest teams that can just steamroll over anyone in their way whats the point of even calling it the world cup then?I'm kinda stoked about the 2026 FIFA World Cup but at the same time, I've got some reservations about the bigger lineup. I mean, on one hand, it's awesome that we're getting more teams involved - it's like, who doesn't love a good underdog story, right? And maybe having 64 teams will create more opportunities for those upsets and dramatic comebacks. But on the other hand, I think the bigger field might actually make some matches feel a bit too predictable. Like, if you've got too many strong teams in a group, it can be hard to tell who's really gonna stand out.
I also worry that with so many teams competing, we might lose some of that old-school World Cup magic. You know, like when the 24-team format used to create these crazy rivalries and memorable matches? With more teams, I'm not sure how much more drama you can pack into the schedule. Still, it's worth a shot, right? Maybe they've got some clever scheduling thingy that'll make all this work out in the end
but at the same time, I've got some reservations about the bigger lineup. I mean, on one hand, it's awesome that we're getting more teams involved - it's like, who doesn't love a good underdog story, right? And maybe having 64 teams will create more opportunities for those upsets and dramatic comebacks. But on the other hand, I think the bigger field might actually make some matches feel a bit too predictable. Like, if you've got too many strong teams in a group, it can be hard to tell who's really gonna stand out.I also worry that with so many teams competing, we might lose some of that old-school World Cup magic. You know, like when the 24-team format used to create these crazy rivalries and memorable matches? With more teams, I'm not sure how much more drama you can pack into the schedule. Still, it's worth a shot, right? Maybe they've got some clever scheduling thingy that'll make all this work out in the end
I'm not sure why people are so salty about the expansion of the FIFA World Cup . I mean, think about it - more teams means more excitement, right? I love watching those underdog stories unfold on the pitch . And yeah, maybe there's a chance some teams might get a bit of a free pass, but that's all part of the game, right? It's not like they're just going to be handed a win .I think it's awesome that new teams are getting a shot at the big stage
. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good upset story? It adds a whole new layer of drama to the tournament. I'm definitely on board with the 64-team expansion - bring on the unpredictability! I was thinking of getting a drone last weekend 
... I mean, can you imagine watching the World Cup with a drone hovering above the stadium? It would be so sick! But anyway, back to the World Cup... I think it's cool they're expanding the teams, but what if it makes the tickets too expensive for regular people? You know, my friend's little bro is super into soccer and he's been begging his parents to take him to a game, but ticket prices are like, whoa . Maybe that's why the organizers should look into making some deals with sponsors or something... I don't know, just a thought .
... I mean, can you imagine watching the World Cup with a drone hovering above the stadium? It would be so sick! But anyway, back to the World Cup... I think it's cool they're expanding the teams, but what if it makes the tickets too expensive for regular people? You know, my friend's little bro is super into soccer and he's been begging his parents to take him to a game, but ticket prices are like, whoa . Maybe that's why the organizers should look into making some deals with sponsors or something... I don't know, just a thought .Ugh, another big money grab from FIFA . I mean, who needs the World Cup to be any more packed than it already is? 64 teams just means more travel stress, more crowds in the stadiums, and a whole lot of overpriced merchandise 
. And don't even get me started on the single-elimination format - it's just a way to artificially create drama where none exists 
. I've seen it before, the underdog team that everyone writes off gets lucky and wins, but then loses in the next round because they're not good enough 
. And what about all those teams that have to travel halfway around the world for one tournament? It's just so... exhausting . Can't they just keep it simple like they did with 32 teams? I'm sure it'll be fine, but I have a bad feeling about this 
.
. I mean, who needs the World Cup to be any more packed than it already is? 64 teams just means more travel stress, more crowds in the stadiums, and a whole lot of overpriced merchandise . And don't even get me started on the single-elimination format - it's just a way to artificially create drama where none exists . I've seen it before, the underdog team that everyone writes off gets lucky and wins, but then loses in the next round because they're not good enough . And what about all those teams that have to travel halfway around the world for one tournament? It's just so... exhausting . Can't they just keep it simple like they did with 32 teams? I'm sure it'll be fine, but I have a bad feeling about this ."Change is the law of life...and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future."
I'm kinda down with this 64-team lineup, ya know? I mean, it's gonna be a whole lot of excitement, and you never know what's gonna happen on the field. Those critics saying it'll lead to mismatches and less drama just don't get it – that's what makes the World Cup so thrilling in the first place! And think about all those new teams getting a chance to shine...it's like a breath of fresh air. The old guard might be worried, but I'm all for shaking things up and seeing what new magic we can create. Bring on the drama, bring on the surprises...it's gonna be a wild ride!
I'm kinda down with this 64-team lineup, ya know? I mean, it's gonna be a whole lot of excitement, and you never know what's gonna happen on the field. Those critics saying it'll lead to mismatches and less drama just don't get it – that's what makes the World Cup so thrilling in the first place! And think about all those new teams getting a chance to shine...it's like a breath of fresh air. The old guard might be worried, but I'm all for shaking things up and seeing what new magic we can create. Bring on the drama, bring on the surprises...it's gonna be a wild ride!
i dunno why people are gettin worked up about the FIFA World Cup... i mean, its just a game, right? 
but seriously, have you seen those new sneakers they're comin out with? i saw this crazy video of someone doin a 360 flip in 'em and it was insane! 
i don't think anyone's gonna change the world at the World Cup, but still it's cool to watch a bunch of guys kickin a ball around. that bein said, if they're gonna make it bigger, maybe they should add some more food options for the fans... all that chicken and rice gets old after a while . and yeah, i can see how it might affect the competition, but like, its just soccer, right? we've got enough problems in the world without gettin worked up over a bunch of guys playin a game 
.
but seriously, have you seen those new sneakers they're comin out with? i saw this crazy video of someone doin a 360 flip in 'em and it was insane! i don't think anyone's gonna change the world at the World Cup, but still it's cool to watch a bunch of guys kickin a ball around. that bein said, if they're gonna make it bigger, maybe they should add some more food options for the fans... all that chicken and rice gets old after a while . and yeah, i can see how it might affect the competition, but like, its just soccer, right? we've got enough problems in the world without gettin worked up over a bunch of guys playin a game . I think it's gonna be crazy with 64 teams competing! On one hand, it's dope to have more teams in the World Cup, but on the other hand, I'm worried it'll get too watered down. I mean, imagine all those teams playing each other, and some of them might get creamed like, what's the point? But at the same time, think about all the underdogs that could pull off a major upset - it'd be epic! Just gotta hope they balance out the competition and make sure we don't have too many blowouts. If done right, this could be the most exciting World Cup yet! 
️I'm not sure I like the idea of more teams competing ... I mean, I get it, it's gonna be bigger and all that, but don't you think it's already hard enough to predict who's gonna win? I remember watching the World Cup back in '98, Man U played against Brazil and it was like a dream match for me! 
Nowadays, with so many teams involved, it just feels like one big, messy bracket... I'm not saying it's all bad tho, some of these up-and-coming teams might just surprise us . Still, can we really get the same magic out of a 64-team tournament? It just feels like it'll be too spread thin for me...
... I mean, I get it, it's gonna be bigger and all that, but don't you think it's already hard enough to predict who's gonna win? I remember watching the World Cup back in '98, Man U played against Brazil and it was like a dream match for me! Nowadays, with so many teams involved, it just feels like one big, messy bracket... I'm not saying it's all bad tho, some of these up-and-coming teams might just surprise us . Still, can we really get the same magic out of a 64-team tournament? It just feels like it'll be too spread thin for me...