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SPORTS Wednesday 15 March 2023
FIFA expands 2026 World Cup again to create 104-game program

By GRAHAM DUNBAR in Qatar amounted to 64
AP Sports Writer games in the seventh and
The expanded World Cup last edition of the 32-team
in North America got even format. The 1998 World Cup
more supersized on Tues- in France was the first with
day. 32 teams.
The governing body of soc- Increasing the World Cup’s
cer increased the size of lineup was first floated in
the 2026 tournament for the 2015. It was proposed then
second time six years after as a way to sweeten FIFA’s
the first by approving a 200-plus member federa-
bigger group stage for the tions into accepting much-
inaugural 48-team event. needed governance re-
By retaining groups of four forms in the wake of Ameri-
teams instead of moving can and Swiss investiga-
to three, FIFA has created tions of corruption.
a 104-game schedule that After Infantino was elected
will last nearly six weeks in FIFA president to succeed
the United States, Canada Sepp Blatter, one of his first
and Mexico. The final is big strategic wins was add-
scheduled for July 19. ing 16 teams to the World
The 16 host cities 11 in the Cup. Infantino persuaded
United States, three in Mex- FIFA colleagues that a 48-
ico and two in Canada team tournament with Af-
now have 24 extra games Argentina’s Lionel Messi kisses the trophy presented by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, left, as The rica and Asia getting more
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani looks on, after the World Cup final soccer match
to stage on top of the 80 between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. of the extra places than
they already had for the Associated Press Europe would fuel interest
inaugural 48-team tourna- and drive development
ment. Adding about 1.5 ness, as well as team and start one year after FIFA 2017. Both options were to in countries that rarely or
million more tickets will also fan experience.” launches a 32-team Club go to a 32-team knockout never qualified to play on
further fuel FIFA’s expected The latest push by FIFA World Cup, which could round. The format guaran- the biggest stage. That
record revenue of at least president Gianni Infantino also be staged in North tees every World Cup team was despite FIFA’s own re-
$11 billion through 2026 for more games and big- America to test tourna- will play a minimum of search in 2016 suggesting
from a tournament that will ger events in a congested ment logistics. The Cham- three times instead of two, that the highest quality
rely on using high-revenue calendar will likely provoke pions League in Europe adding up to a stacked soccer was achieved by
NFL stadiums. more concern among also has a new format with group stage totaling 72 the 32-team format. In Qa-
FIFA said the decision fol- stakeholders such as do- more teams and games in games before arriving at tar, the split-screen drama
lowed a “thorough review mestic leagues and play- the 2024-25 season. the knockout rounds. The created by decisive group
that considered sporting ers’ union FIFPRO. They The new World Cup format four semifinalists will play games played simultane-
integrity, player welfare, have long felt isolated from will have 12 groups of four eight matches, one more ously helped convince FIFA
team travel, commercial talks on soccer’s future. teams instead of 16 groups than last year in Qatar. that four-team groups are
and sporting attractive- The six-week World Cup will of three, the plan chosen in The entire 2022 World Cup better.q

Canelo Álvarez sets ring return to face John Ryder in Mexico

By GREG BEACHAM sided upset loss to Dmitry 168-pound world title belts run. cision over former middle-
AP Sports Writer Bivol in a light heavyweight during an impressive four- Ryder fought twice in 2022 weight champion Danny
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cane- bout. fight run through the divi- and earned arguably the Jacobs before stopping
lo Álvarez will return to the The 32-year-old Álvarez sion starting in late 2020 two biggest victories of his previously unbeaten Zach
ring May 6 in his native is returning on Cinco de and ending with a stop- career, winning a split de- Parker last November.q
Guadalajara, Mexico, to Mayo weekend to fight in page of Caleb Plant in No-
defend his four super mid- Mexico for the first time in vember 2021.
dleweight title belts against 11 1/2 years. “I feel really happy to be
Britain’s John Ryder. Álvarez, who lives in San coming back in May, be-
Promoter Matchroom Box- Diego for most of the year, cause following my surgery,
ing announced Álvarez’s has staged his last 22 bouts I was unsure of when I’d be
next fight Tuesday. The in the U.S. He hasn’t fought coming back,” Álvarez said
bout will be at Akron Sta- in Mexico since beating in a statement. “Return-
dium, the home of Mexican Kermit Cintron in Mexico ing to the ring and com-
soccer club Chivas. City in November 2011, ing back to fight in Jalisco,
Álvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) and he hasn’t fought in where I’m from, makes me
is fighting for the first time his hometown since June especially happy.”
since he won the final 2011. The 34-year-old Ryder (32-
bout in his famed trilogy Álvarez had surgery on his 5-0, 18 KOs) will be a sig-
with Gennady Golovkin by left hand late last year, but nificant underdog, but he
unanimous decision last he has recovered quickly has earned interim versions Canelo Alvarez celebrates after defeating Gennady Golovkin in
September. enough to take on his next of two super middleweight their super middleweight title boxing match, Saturday, Sept. 17,
Álvarez also will be fight- challenge. world title belts during his 2022, in Las Vegas.
ing one year after his one- He collected all four current four-fight unbeaten Associated Press