Concerns are rising regarding the success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across North America and feature an expanded format. The tournament will break a 32-year precedent by increasing the number of participating teams. Prior to the competition, many observers have expressed doubt about whether the new, larger format will be successful. These concerns center around the logistical challenges and potential impact on the quality of play associated with including more teams. The expanded format represents a significant change to the traditional World Cup structure. Whether these doubts will be allayed remains to be seen as the tournament approaches.