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The World Cup is set to be increased to 48 teams. PA Archive/PA Images

Will the new 48-team World Cup be a good idea or ruin the tournament?

Whether you think it’s good, bad or you don’t care, the 48-team format will be introduced in 2026.

FIFA COUNCIL HAVE confirmed that the World Cup finals will feature 48 teams from 2026 onwards.

The revamp plan received unanimous backing from the council. The new format will see teams split into 16 groups of three.

The controversial proposal has faced criticism from some of the sport’s biggest names and most powerful voices, including warnings that it would dilute the quality of play and overburden already exhausted players.

While noting that a bigger tournament would bring in more money, Fifa president Gianni Infantino has also argued that it will help drive football’s global growth.

Have your say in our poll, and as always, voice your opinion in the comments section below.

Do you welcome the changes?


Poll Results:

No, leave it as it is (1542)
Yes, the more teams the merrier (766)
I don't really care (241)

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7 Comments
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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Feb 23rd 2018, 8:56 AM

    Interesting article , it shows that there is much more to the IRFU recruitments than meets the eye .

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    Mute EK
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    Feb 23rd 2018, 9:24 AM

    @Limón Madrugada: The IRFU have invested a lot of money in their Exiles program recently but this certainly goes beyond the pale. He must have been tearing it up in Australia to get noticed.

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    Mute Tom Reilly
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    Feb 23rd 2018, 9:24 AM

    This lad looks as if he has the mental strength to go all the up to the highest level. The number of really good young props coming through is very encouraging.

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    Mute Lf
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    Feb 23rd 2018, 8:01 AM

    Another Leinster man up north.

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    Mute EK
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    Feb 23rd 2018, 9:22 AM

    @Lf: He may come from Leinster but that’s where the association ends. More like another player that Leinster had nothing to do with playing at another province.

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    Feb 23rd 2018, 7:58 PM

    @EK: If you’ve ever taken a fart in Leinster lf would claim you as a Leinster product

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    Mute Joe Kennedy
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    Feb 23rd 2018, 8:40 AM
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    Mute Gerard O'Donovan
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    Feb 23rd 2018, 9:00 AM

    Good going Tom.

    5
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    Mute Mark Smith
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    Feb 23rd 2018, 1:43 PM

    Let’s forget the hype and wait and see how he steps up

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    Mute Christiaan Theron
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    Feb 23rd 2018, 7:30 PM

    @Mark Smith: The problem is he is only one player and Ulster need volume of quality Youngsters who can break through into the 1st squad.

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    Mute Trevor Dunne
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    Feb 23rd 2018, 1:27 PM

    Great story.Best of luck to him.

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    Mute Fergal Doyle
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    Feb 23rd 2018, 8:30 AM

    Good commend

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    Mute irishred
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    Feb 23rd 2018, 8:35 PM

    This Irish u20 team are terrible

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    Mute Royster
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    Feb 23rd 2018, 10:58 AM

    Will never make the team, couldn’t tackle for his dinner, useless

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    Mute Now or Never
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    Feb 23rd 2018, 1:16 PM

    @Royster: always the optimist, keep up the good vibe!

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    Mute Joe Stafford
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    Feb 24th 2018, 10:39 PM

    A career only going one way – upwards!

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