In Video: FIFA's Youri Djorkaeff on “success” of Club World Cup and France's chances at “best World Cup ever”

The Future of the World Cup: Expanding the Reach and Embracing New Challenges

In an exclusive interview, a top FIFA official shared insights on the potential for further expansion of the World Cup, the lessons learned from the Club World Cup, and the excitement surrounding the upcoming tournament in the United States.

No Plans for Further Expansion

When asked if there were plans to increase the number of teams participating in the World Cup beyond the current 48, the official was adamant that 48 was already a good number. “I don’t see any change in the next cycle of the next World Cup,” they said. However, they acknowledged that the expansion to 48 teams from 32 had already brought new opportunities to nations like Uzbekistan and Jordan, which had never qualified for the tournament before.

Lessons from the Club World Cup

The official was keen to share lessons learned from the Club World Cup, which had been a huge success despite some initial hiccups. “The mentality of the fans in the US is totally different than in Europe,” they explained. “For them, a game is more a show, whereas for us in Europe, it’s life.” The official highlighted the growing appetite and interest in the sport in the United States, which they believed would be a significant factor in the success of the next World Cup.

The Road to 2026

The official expressed their confidence in delivering the best World Cup ever, citing the success of the Club World Cup and the excitement surrounding the tournament’s arrival in the United States. They acknowledged the challenges of hosting the tournament in a vast country with different time zones, but believed that the experience gained from the Club World Cup would prove invaluable.

France’s Chances in 2026

Finally, the official cautiously expressed optimism about France’s chances of winning the tournament again. They acknowledged that Argentina would be a strong challenger, recalling the thrilling finale of the 2018 World Cup. “I know that DJ [Didier Deschamps] is preparing the team, and the team will be ready to hold the trophy again,” the official said.

As the countdown begins to the 2026 World Cup, fans around the world are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an unforgettable tournament. With the lessons learned from the Club World Cup and the excitement surrounding the United States’ first World Cup hosting experience, the stage is set for an unforgettable event.

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