Let's be honest—the 2026 World Cup feels completely different.
Moving to 48 teams and 104 matches is the biggest gamble FIFA has ever taken. Half my friends love the non-stop football, and the other half say the group stage feels watered down and too commercialized.
Personally, I'm torn. On one hand, seeing underdog nations get their shot on the biggest stage is incredible. The energy they bring is unmatched. On the other hand, the stakes don't feel quite as deadly in the opening rounds when so many teams can advance.
Plus, the new rule changes are throwing everyone off. Referees strictly counting down the 8-second rule on goalkeepers is causing pure panic at the back, and the mandatory mid-half tactical/hydration breaks make it feel like we're watching four quarters instead of two halves. It completely disrupts the traditional flow of the game, but managers are loving the extra tactical timeouts.
We're definitely watching history, but I can't decide if it's for the better or worse.
Over to you, Hive family:
Are you enjoying the 48-team format, or do you miss the elite 32-team era?
Who is your dark horse to go all the way this year?
Let’s talk in the comments! 👇
