If you’re a United States men’s national team fan currently sweating about World Cup qualifying, here’s some good news. Soon, you will never be stressed out about making the World Cup again. FIFA has unveiled the proposed allocation structure for the 48-team 2026 World Cup, and CONCACAF will get six teams.
FIFA reveals how many teams each continent gets at the 48-team 2026 World Cup
Qualifying is about to get a lot easier.
Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
The entire bid structure looks like this:
AFC: eight slots
CAF: nine slots
CONCACAF: six slots
CONMEBOL: six slots
OFC: one slot
UEFA: 16 slots
Back in December, we wrote that FIFA was making this move to give some of the world’s biggest countries a chance to make the World Cup. China has already started investing in its soccer infrastructure, and now India has a lot more incentive to do so.
The FIFA Council will vote on this proposed structure in May.
Reporter screwup of the day
Someone asked Bastian Schweinsteiger if he thought he could guide the Chicago Fire to the World Cup. Seriously.
In the news
Real Madrid is finally starting a women’s team. The last top club in Europe without a women’s squad is now Manchester United. (AS)
The maker of the horrible Cristiano Ronaldo bronze bust is going all-in on defending himself. (Telegraph)
Mike Petke was named the RSL head coach on Wednesday. (RSL Soapbox)
Mahmoud Dahoud will join Borussia Dortmund from Borussia Mönchengladbach. (Fear The Wall)
Mauricio Pochettino has said he will never manage Barcelona. (Guardian)
Hertha Berlin is building a new soccer-specific stadium next to their current home, the Olympic Stadium. (Hertha)
Manuel Neuer is out two games with a foot injury, but hopes to return for Champions League play. (@FCBayernEN)
Everton’s Ramiro Funes Mori is likely out for the season. (Royal Blue Mersey)
American second division league USL is planning on launching a third division next season. (SI)
You should be reading
Paul MacInnes on expected goals and analytics gaining relevance. (Guardian)
Jack Trelease interviewed Uwe Rösler about life as a professional footballer in East Germany. (The Set Pieces)
Nate Scott experienced an existential crisis caused by the Cristiano Ronaldo bust. (Fox Soccer)
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