FIFA World Cup 2026 opinion poll + discusion about new format & rules

[Alphakilo]

I liked the possibility of more teams participating; I'm watching practically all the games and having a lot of fun. I saw someone mention the water breaks, I don't see any problem with that, basketball also has breaks that can be requested, I don't think that negatively interferes with the matches or the cup in general.

I don't consider water breaks a game changer because it has always been a thing in football competitions mostly when the temperature is hot.
I loved the fact of seeing unbelievable teams fight for points and even hold off the bigger teams to a draw sometimes even goalless like the Belgium vs Iran match, we also have the Cabo Verde vs Uruguay and even Haiti vs Scotland draw. No one expected this and I lost bets on this matches because I went for a straight win in one instance and an over and under odds line in some others of which became losses.
It shows football is more of a global phenomenon than it used to be back then and having 12 groups of 4 teams each made each team settle in well and play to their best, instead of the normal rush that sees many off after two weeks of just being in the competition.

[Nightwalker(NW)]

I don't consider water breaks a game changer because it has always been a thing in football competitions mostly when the temperature is hot.

What if team A is pressing against team B and out of the blue the referee blows for hydration break. You will not understand how this will affect the team untill you are in that very position. I saw a post were Mbappe talked about this and he said it depends on the team that's with the ball. If his team is with the ball and hydration break happens, it slows the game and allows the opponent to adjust and if his team in not in control he likes it. Basically the feeling will depend on the team that has the ball at the moment before the break. I think this hydration break started from the last world cup, remember it was postponed till around November to December when the temperature was manageable since it was hosted in a hot region, despite the several cooling equipment in the stadium..

[Bobrox]

My opinion about FIFA World Cup 2026 new format love it and I voted for the first points, I know many people disagree with new format of World Cup 2026 because additional teams participants from 32 teams with 8 Group right now become 48 teams 12 Group and each teams will play one match more exactly if qualify to round of 32 as usual directly to round of 16.

Regarding new format of World Cup 2026 giving opportunity for many teams participants have bigger chance for playing in World Cup, as usual Asian team have few teams participants right now new format have many teams playing at World Cup 2026. But take longer time the first matchday finish as usual take few days only right now needed more than one week for every group stage match.

[OsaiEmma]

I love the new format for the fact that, they included more countries which is actually a good thing. This will bring more participation,  entertainment, togetherness in the world cup.

I'm sure FIFA is looking at cashing out big with this new policy. More spectators/fans means more money, and having multiple countries host it is actually a brilliant idea. It reduces stress, cluttering, and makes traveling easier for some.

Generally I love the new format and how FIFA re-organized the whole thing.

[pawel7777]

One of the biggest problems with group stages of 4 is that often we end up with a lot of teams having nothing at stake in their 3rd game.
Expanding the number of teams and having eight out of all twelve 3rd places advancing to the knock-out stage could've changed that, but FIFA also changed tie-breaker rules, and instead of goal differences like we had before, we now have a head-to-head result as the deciding factor for how teams with the same number of points are ranked in their groups.
Some of the teams that have already been eliminated could still have chances if the main tie-breaker were a goal difference.

I know that it can be argued that head-to-head is a much fairer way, but I think for tournaments like this one, they should've stuck to goal difference.

[Nightwalker(NW)]

I love the new format for the fact that, they included more countries which is actually a good thing. This will bring more participation,  entertainment, togetherness in the world cup.

I'm sure FIFA is looking at cashing out big with this new policy. More spectators/fans means more money, and having multiple countries host it is actually a brilliant idea. It reduces stress, cluttering, and makes traveling easier for some.

Generally I love the new format and how FIFA re-organized the whole thing.

The excitement is here already, from the first phase we saw how unexpected countries shocked the big ones, Cape verde shocked Spain, that result was never expected, Congo drew against Portugal. These countries that are considered small in football some of them are making statements in this world cup group stage. Fifa will make a lot of money from this week all know this but don't also forget that the countries involved will be making money as well. 32 will be eliminated, wash of these teams will make nothing less than 12 million dollars, that's over 350 million dollars for the eliminated teams alone, I didn't include the team that will make it to the next round.

[Agbamoni]

An early goal from Vinicius Junior for Brazil. Scotland stand no chance tonight. I am seeing an easy win for Brazil. Probably 3 goals for Vinicius in the world cup tournament. Correct me if im wrong. On the either hand, Morocco vs Haiti is also ongoing. Haiti has just scored an early goal against Morocco. A come back is needed by Morocco before 90 minutes.