The Daily Mail, a British newspaper, reported on the 1st that the International Football Federation (FIFA) is considering a penalty shoot-out in the group stage from the 2026 World Cup.
The media said, “From the 2026 tournament, even in the group stage matches that ended in a tie, a penalty shoot-out is being discussed, and a plan to give bonus points to the winning team is being discussed.” Explained.
Starting from the 2026 competition, the number of participating countries will increase to 48, and since the group stage will be held in 16 groups with 3 countries in each group, if there are many matches that end in a draw, it may become difficult to determine the ranking of the three teams.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is a method in which the top two countries in each group pass through the group stage, and the winner is determined by a single match from the round of 32.
Also, starting from this tournament, one of the three countries will finish the group stage first, so there is a risk that the two countries that will play the second game later will engage in a ‘collusion draw match’.
Marco van Basten, head of the FIFA Technical Committee, said in an interview with Germany’s Bild, “The penalty shootout can be a good option in a system where three countries compete in a group.”
However, the Daily Mail said, “There is still a possibility that the 2026 tournament will be held in a way in which 4 countries compete in 12 groups.” Eight more teams will advance through the group stage.”