UEFA proposes to hold a playoff in the selection of European teams for the 2026 World Cup
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has developed a new format for selecting European teams for the 2026 World Cup. It is reported by RIA Novosti.
UEFA wants to break the qualifying tournament into a group stage, which should be held from March to November 2025, and a playoff, scheduled for March 2026. At the group stage, the teams will traditionally be divided into 12 groups of four or five teams. The winners in each group will directly qualify for the World Championships.
Teams that take second place will go to the playoffs. This stage will also play the four group winners of the 2024/2025 Nations League season, who failed to gain a foothold in the first or second line in the group stage of qualifying for the world championship. Teams will be divided into four groups. The teams will then play one-match semi-finals and one-match finals.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico. A total of 48 teams will play in the tournament.
Source: Lenta
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