Blatter Criticises 2026 World Cup Format, Match Allocation

Sepp Blatter

 

Former FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, has voiced strong opposition to the structure of the 2026 men’s World Cup, criticising both the expanded 48-team format and the distribution of matches among the three host nations.

The tournament, to be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature 104 matches. Of those, 78 will be played in the United States, which will also host every game from the quarter-finals onward.

Each co-host will stage its own national team’s group matches, with Mexico set to kick off the competition on 11 June against South Africa in Mexico City.

Speaking to Radio Canada, the 89-year-old described the imbalance as “not in the spirit of developing football,” arguing that the hosting duties should have been shared more equally.

He further claimed that football is being drawn into politics, pointing to the relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and current FIFA President, Gianni Infantino.

Blatter also questioned whether a World Cup should be held in a country that enforces travel restrictions, referencing recent U.S. visa policies affecting several qualified nations.

FIFA declined to comment on his remarks. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee recently cleared Infantino of alleged breaches of political neutrality.

Blatter led FIFA from 1998 to 2015 and was banned from football before being cleared of financial wrongdoing by a Swiss appeals court in 2025.

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