World Cup 2026: Novelty, controversy and farewell

NAMPA / Xinhua

2026-07-20

by sportswriters Cao Jianjie, Zhao Yan and Wan Fang NEW YORK, July 19 (Xinhua) -- This was a World Cup that looked different from the outset. FIFA had already committed to an expanded 48-team format before it even chose a host, and when the joint bid from Canada, Mexico and the United States won that vote in 2018, the 2026 World Cup became the first to be staged in three countries. Football's governing body later confirmed three other chang......

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