Gary Lineker has hailed the 2022 World Cup group stage as the "greatest in history," while criticising FIFA for their plans to change the tournament's format in four years' time.
Qatar has played host to a wealth of drama over the past fortnight, with shock results like Saudi Arabia beating Argentina and surprise exits such as Germany 's already making this edition of the World Cup memorable for events on the pitch. But the 32-team format that football fans know and love, which includes eight groups made up of four nations, is about to be scrapped by FIFA.
In 2026, when football's most prestigious tournament is held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, we're currently on course to see a massive 16 groups of only three nations as FIFA expand the tournament to 48 teams. Many supporters aren't happy with the proposals, including Lineker, who voiced his concerns following Friday's final round of engrossing games before the knockout stages.
"The greatest group stage in World Cup history comes to an end," the former England international-turned-acclaimed TV pundit wrote on Twitter. "At present it won't be repeated at the next World Cup as the current plan is not to have simultaneous final group games. 16 groups of 3 in 2026."
Tagging FIFA's official account in a second tweet, Lineker followed up by demanding that football's global governing body reassess their much maligned plans. "I think they must have a rethink," the ex-striker went on. "With 2 teams qualifying, imagine how many groups will be settled by a draw/convenient result in the final game."
Lineker's two tweets garnered a combined total of more than 21,000 likes, showing just how many fans of the beautiful game agree with his stance. While reports this week claimed that FIFA have held "informal talks" to discuss adjusting the new format, president Gianni Infantino has stressed on multiple occasions over the past five years that he believes in the new proposals.
Have your say! Should FIFA U-turn on their decision? Let us know your verdict in the comments section.
"With 48 countries coming and playing at this World Cup, it will be amazing and football by that time here in North America will be at a completely different level," Infantino claimed when speaking at an event in the United States to promote the upcoming tournament earlier this year.
"In this part of the world – in these three countries – you are leading the world in so many areas: in economy, in sport, and so on. But in the number one sport in the world which is soccer, or football, you are not yet, and the objective must be that you will be leading the world as well in the world’s number one sport."
In 2017, shortly before the 48-team World Cup was unanimously decided on by FIFA's council, their head honcho argued that the change of format would boost football worldwide. "We are in the 21st century, and we should shape the World Cup for the 21st century," Infantino declared. "Football is more than Europe and South America; football is global.”"
