The 2026 World Cup is expected to be the first with 48 teams. ESPN has the full report.
The story
The story has generated significant attention across international football, with the parties involved at the centre of the conversation.
Original source: Full reporting on this story is available at ESPN. This article summarises key facts from that report and adds context about international football.
James Wilson is Football Insider's Champions League correspondent. With over a decade of experience reporting on European football's biggest competitions, James covers Champions League, Europa League, and major international tournaments.
