World football is facing a new debate after the end of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The historic tour, the first with 48 nationals, expanded opportunities for participation, but also added the number of matches and pressure on football players.
According to FIFA, the competition included 104 matches, compared to 64 in the previous format of 32 nationals.
The new format included 12 groups of four nationals. The first two teams of each group, along with the top eight teams in the third countries, went through the process with direct elimination.
The expansion enabled more countries to be represented on the biggest stage of football, but also raised questions about the impact on the quality of the game.
One of the main concerns relates to the physical load of footballers.
In the new format, the nationals who reached the finals had to hold eight matches, one more than in previous tournaments.
But the discussion didn't end with the World.
According to Reuters reports, European coach and football representatives have expressed concerns about the busy international calendar and its impact on players.
Meanwhile, football unions have sought more attention to recovery periods and risk of injury.
The debate is especially important for players active in the biggest European clubs, which during a season can participate in national championships, local cups, continental competitions and national matches.
FIFA has supported the expansion of the World as an opportunity to make football more comprehensive.
Critics, however, argue that increasing the number of matches should be accompanied by stronger measures for protecting footballers' health.
Attention is now moving towards the 2030 World Cup, which will be organised mainly by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with commemorative matches in South America as well.
Organising on several continents will bring new challenges for international travel, logistics and co-ordination.
To FIFA, the 48 national format, represents a step towards global football expansion.
For players' clubs and representatives, the main challenge remains to find a balance between commercial development of sports and the wellbeing of football players.
The debate is expected to continue during preparations for the 2030 World, while international football faces the question of how much the calendar can expand without impacting the quality of the game.
