So the 2026 World Cup will have 48 teams competing, with a 3-team group first phase.
I find this very exiting for a couple of reasons:
1) more countries represented, which makes it an even more global party
2) no more "dead" third games in some groups
3) same number of games to get to the finals, so there is no increase in player fatigue
I think it's very well thought out.