British football authorities have raised serious concerns about the integrity of the World Cup following changes to the group stage format, arguing that the new structure undermines competitive balance and risks distorting the tournament’s outcome. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Football Association (FA) questioned whether recent modifications to the draw process and match scheduling had created an uneven playing field.
The controversy centres on the decision to expand the group stage from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 tournament, a move approved by FIFA in 2017. Under the new format, teams will be divided into 16 groups of three, with only the group winners advancing to the knockout rounds. Critics, including senior FA officials, argue that this reduces the margin for error and makes early draws or upsets disproportionately punitive.
Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the seeding system, which now relies heavily on FIFA’s world rankings rather than historical performance or regional qualification results. The FA noted that rankings can be volatile and influenced by friendly matches, potentially giving an advantage to teams that schedule strategically rather than earn results in high-stakes competition.
“The integrity of the competition must be paramount,” said a spokesperson for the FA. “Any change that introduces an element of arbitrariness or reduces the value of consistent performance over the tournament’s duration should be scrutinised.”
The British government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has also expressed interest, with officials requesting a briefing from the FA on the matter. While Westminster has limited direct influence over FIFA, the concerns add to a growing chorus of European football bodies pressing for a review of the 2026 format.
FIFA has defended the changes, arguing that expansion will boost global participation and revenue. In a statement, the governing body said the new format had been “thoroughly researched and approved by the FIFA Council, which includes representatives from all confederations.” It added that the tournament’s integrity remained “sacrosanct” and that any claims to the contrary were unfounded.
However, the FA’s intervention highlights a broader unease within the sport’s establishment about the direction of the World Cup. Former England manager Gareth Southgate, now a member of the UEFA technical committee, has previously voiced concerns about competitive imbalance, particularly for smaller nations that may face three matches against higher-ranked opponents with no room for recovery.
“There is a risk that the tournament becomes a lottery,” Southgate told the Times last month. “We should be ensuring that the best teams progress based on merit, not luck of the draw.”
The British authorities have stopped short of calling for a boycott or formal protest, but the FA has requested a meeting with FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger to discuss the issue. Sources suggest that the matter may be raised at the International Football Association Board’s next annual general meeting.
As the countdown to 2026 begins, the question of fairness looms large. With the next World Cup set to be held across three countries – the United States, Canada, and Mexico – logistical challenges are already immense. The FA’s warning serves as a reminder that the sport’s most prestigious tournament must not sacrifice its fundamental principles in pursuit of growth.
