FIFA is reportedly considering a massive rule change ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America, where they would introduce penalty shoot-outs to award a bonus point if group games are drawn.
Following the conclusion of the ongoing 2022 tournament in Qatar, attention will turn to qualifying for the next World Cup due to take place in the summer of 2026. The tournament will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico and will expand to include 48 teams rather than the usual 32.
It's expected that the format will include 16 groups of three teams rather than the original eight groups of four. The top two from each group will qualify for the round of 32 meaning there'll be an additional knockout round from the current format.
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After previous votes for the three-team group format, the possibility of groups remaining with four teams is increasingly returning to conversation behind-the-scenes. Should FIFA go with their original three-team groups, they may also consider introducing penalty shoot-outs to determine a bonus point in the event of a drawn game after 90 minutes in the group stage.
According to The Athletic, these shoot-outs could be held before kick-off or at full-time. However, there is an increased risk of manipulation should they take place after the game. For example, if a particular result benefitted both teams and eliminated the third team in the group.
Back in 2017, FIFA's chief officer for technical development and former Netherlands forward hinted at the emergence of penalty shootouts in the group stages. "Shootouts could indeed be an option for tournaments with groups of three in which you play against two opponents," Van Basten told Sport Bild.
"It can get pretty tight. If one team for instance draws one match 0-0 and wins the other 1-0, there’s a high risk that all three teams are level on points and goals in the end."
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