Will Antoine Griezmann make it to the 2026 World Cup with France? We analyze statistics, current events, and his role with Les Bleus on their way to the most important tournament on the planet.
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WHAT NEW RULES WILL THERE BE AT THE 2026 WORLD CUP?
The 2026 World Cup will bring more than just goals and excitement: it will include new rules that promise to revolutionize the sport. From more teams competing to technological innovations in refereeing and changes to the format of play, this tournament will be historic. Get ready to discover how the football you know is transforming. Here we tell you, without beating around the bush or getting into technical jargon, what's coming and how it will affect your favorite teams.
Changes to the Tournament Format
The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest in football history. For the first time, it will expand to 48 teams, leaving behind the classic 32-team format we've known since France 1998. This expansion not only increases the number of matches but also modifies the structure of the group stage and eliminates some classic elements.
How will it work now?
Instead of the traditional eight groups of four teams, the new format features 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-place finishers will advance to the next stage. In total, 104 matches will be played, compared to 64 in the previous format. A treat for those who love football without rest.
Total number of matches: 104
Number of venues: 16 cities (USA, Mexico and Canada)
Tournament duration: 39 days estimated
More spots for Africa and Asia
New record for participants
Fun fact: with this new system, teams that had never qualified before, such as Curaçao, Uzbekistan, or Burkina Faso, now have a real chance of appearing on the world stage. This broadens the tournament's global reach and makes it even more diverse and competitive.
Technology That Will Change the Game
FIFA doesn't just want more matches, it also wants more precision. At the 2026 World Cup, we'll see a new generation of technological tools in action, which will seek to reduce refereeing errors and speed up key decisions. Football is modernizing at a rapid pace.
Semi-Automatic VAR and More
VAR will no longer be the same. The new semi-automatic offside system (already successfully tested at Qatar 2022) will be faster, providing answers in less than 25 seconds with the help of sensors in the ball and 3D cameras. In addition, improvements will be introduced to the goal line, with even more precise technology to avoid controversies like those seen in Germany 2010 or England 2022. Smart ball with position chip. VAR 2.0 with faster decisions. Live analysis of key plays. Cards with digital notification to banks. Greater intervention of the video assistant referee. The use of a screen in the stadium to explain VAR decisions in real time is also being studied, similar to what already happens in the NFL. This measure aims to help the public better understand what is happening on the field and reduce conspiracy theories following each refereeing decision. Fun fact: the 2022 Al Rihla ball had a 500 Hz motion detection rate per second; the 2026 version promises to surpass that figure with 800 Hz, offering a millimeter-precise reading of every touch.
Changes to Rules and Dynamics
Beyond the format and technology, adjustments to the rules are coming that could change the way football is played and viewed. FIFA, together with IFAB (the body that sets the rules), is testing new ideas to improve the flow of the game and more clearly punish unsportsmanlike conduct.
Effective Time and Orange Cards
One of the concepts gaining traction is that of "effective time," meaning that the clock would stop when the ball is not in play. This would reduce "unsportsmanlike conduct" and ensure that the full 90 minutes are played. Although not yet confirmed for 2026, official trials are being conducted in youth tournaments. On the other hand, the controversial "orange card" has emerged. This new sanction would be applied to serious infractions that don't warrant a red card, allowing the referee to send the player off for 10 minutes. Something like a caution with a temporary suspension, similar to ice hockey.
Orange card = 10-minute suspension
Unlimited substitutions in extra time (under study)
Possible on-screen timer
Referees explaining decisions with microphones
Harsher penalties for simulation
These rules aim to make the game cleaner, more dynamic, and more understandable for both the casual spectator and the lifelong fan. Although some are still in the testing phase, several are likely to be implemented partially or fully at the 2026 World Cup. Fun fact: According to a FIFA study, on average only 55 minutes of effective playing time are played per match. The new effective playing time system aims to bring that figure above 70 actual minutes of play. A true paradigm shift.
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