FIFA to expand World Cup to 48 teams in ’26

ZURICH — FIFA will expand the World Cup to 48 teams, adding 16 extra nations to the 2026 tournament that is likely to be held in North America.

President Gianni Infantino’s favored plan — for 16 three-team groups with the top two advancing to a round of 32 — was unanimously approved Tuesday by the FIFA Council.

It meets Infantino’s election pledge of a bigger and more inclusive World Cup going beyond European and South American teams, which have won all 20 titles.

With 80 matches instead of 64, FIFA forecasts the equivalent of $1 billion extra income at current rates from broadcasting and sponsor deals, plus ticket sales, compared to $5.5 billion revenue forecast for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

American, Canadian and Mexican soccer leaders have had informal talks about a co-hosting bid, which is scheduled to be awarded in May 2020. The CONCACAF region has not hosted the World Cup since the 1994 tournament in the U.S.

Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle The Travis bench is delirious after Miranda Ramsey hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send Tuesday’s game with Hightower into overtime, allowing the Tigers to pull out a 52-44 victory. For a recap of the game, go to chron.com/hs.