FIFA’s 48-Team Gamble: The High-Stakes Business of 2026 Qualifying
By Evelyn Hartwell · 7 min read
BUSINESS
The sun was beginning to set over the Hudson River when I met a senior executive from a major sports marketing agency last month.
BUSINESS
"That's the center of the universe in 2026," he told me.
BUSINESS
He was right.
BUSINESS
For decades, the 32-team format was the gold standard.
BUSINESS
Take the AFC (Asia) and CAF (Africa) as prime examples.
BUSINESS
It’s a pattern [we’ve seen before](/news/matt-miller-s-longest-yard-the-business-of-resilience-at-espn) in the way sports media giants handle domestic leagues.