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Football · Level 10: Professional · Sub-level 10.110

The Future of Football

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

Where the game is heading, as decided or debated by 2025: the 48-team World Cup, the 2030 and 2034 hosts, the women's game, new European formats, the Super League after the court ruling, media rights, climate, the road to 2026, ownership money and the contested predictions.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1The 48-team World Cup of 2026Take a test

  1. The 32-team tournaments of 1998 to 2022 had 64 matches.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  2. FIFA first planned groups of three, then changed to groups of four in 2023.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  3. The top two in each group and the eight best third-placed teams went through.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  4. Eight of the twelve third-placed teams joined the 24 group winners and runners-up.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  5. Three group games and five knockout rounds, one more than in the 32-team format.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  6. The Azteca had hosted the finals of 1970 and 1986.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  7. Mexico had hosted in 1970 and 1986.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  8. 24, 32 and 48 teams.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  9. The semi-finals and final followed.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  10. Mexico had three host cities and Canada two, sixteen in all.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

Test 2The 2030 and 2034 World CupsTake a test

  1. FIFA's Congress confirmed the decision in December 2024.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  2. Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay were each given one opening match.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · applied

  3. It was the only bid after Australia withdrew in 2023.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  4. Critics objected to deciding both tournaments at once.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  5. Europe, Africa and South America.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  6. UEFA and others argued it would weaken qualification and the tournament.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  7. After 2026 in North America and 2030 in Europe and Africa, 2034 was open to Asia and Oceania.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · applied

  8. 2022, 2026, 2030 and 2034.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  9. Three, two and none.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  10. The match was planned for the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

Test 3The growth of the women's gameTake a test

  1. The 2023 tournament had 32 teams.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  2. The home nations bid instead for 2035.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  3. It was the company's first major football rights deal.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  4. It was a world record for a women's club match at the time.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  5. It was set for January 2028, with 16 clubs in the group stage after a play-in round.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  6. Record crowds at Wembley, the Camp Nou and the Emirates showed the demand.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · applied

  7. Australia and New Zealand had co-hosted in 2023.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  8. 2023, 2027 and 2031.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  9. 24, 32 and 48 teams.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  10. Barcelona played Wolfsburg in the Champions League semi-final.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

Test 4New formats for European club footballTake a test

  1. The Champions League and Europa League play eight.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  2. Two countries each season earn an extra place from their clubs' results in Europe.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  3. England and Spain earned them for 2025-26.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  4. All three UEFA club competitions use a 36-club league phase.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  5. The change also answered clubs' demands after the Super League attempt.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · applied

  6. The top eight go straight to the round of 16.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  7. Supporters say it produces more close contests.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · applied

  8. Six, eight and eight; the two biggest share the same number.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  9. 1955-56, 1971-72 and 2021-22.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  10. The final was set for the Puskás Aréna.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

Test 5The Super League after the court rulingTake a test

  1. It found the approval rules unlawful as written, not that the project must go ahead.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · applied

  2. The company was set up in Madrid to develop the project.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  3. Real Madrid and Barcelona remained its main backers.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  4. The plan relied on advertising and subscriptions for extras.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  5. Pérez and Agnelli led the founding clubs; Tebas, LaLiga's president, opposed the project.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  6. Any approval rules must now be clear, fair and non-discriminatory.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · applied

  7. Fan protests had forced the English clubs out in 2021.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · applied

  8. April 2021, December 2023 and 2024.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

  9. The Madrid court then applied the answer to the case.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · applied

  10. The plan proposed several divisions of men's and women's clubs.

    Source: FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting · recall

Test 6Media rights and streamingTake a test

  1. It was agreed in December 2023 as a record for the league.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  2. Amazon had held a smaller package in the previous cycle.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  3. Streaming deals have not always matched the old pay-TV sums.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  4. The deal put all MLS matches in one worldwide subscription.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  5. It shows matches, archive footage and documentaries.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  6. Direct services also give leagues their own data on viewers.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  7. The league then turned to its own channel.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  8. 2023, 2025 and 2027.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  9. 1992, 2013 and 2019.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  10. It carried most of the league's matches from 2025-26.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

Test 7Football and the climateTake a test

  1. Fans could attend more than one match in a day.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  2. His business is in green energy.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  3. Critics had argued the stadiums' emissions were undercounted.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  4. Stadiums in Atlanta, Houston and Dallas can close their roofs.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  5. Clubs encourage public transport for this reason.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  6. The opening matches in South America add long flights.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  7. Signatories commit to measuring and cutting their emissions.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  8. One, two, three and six, counting the centenary matches.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  9. Measuring first shows where most emissions come from.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  10. The Gloucestershire club was then in League Two.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

Test 8The road to the 2026 World CupTake a test

  1. They qualified in March 2025 with several games to spare.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  2. Both secured their places in June 2025.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  3. Every confederation gained places when the tournament grew by sixteen teams.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  4. The matches were played in Guadalajara and Monterrey in March 2026.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  5. It was the first World Cup with three automatic host places.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  6. Two of them qualified for the World Cup.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  7. A draw between Uruguay and Bolivia settled it before Argentina played Brazil.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  8. The two best-ranked teams went straight to the finals.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  9. One, six, eight, nine and sixteen.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  10. Australia now plays in the Asian confederation.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

Test 9Private money in the leaguesTake a test

  1. The deal was known as LaLiga Impulso.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  2. Critics said the long term gave away too much future value.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  3. The three kept their own media rights outside the deal.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  4. Matches were repeatedly held up across the league.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  5. The league said a successful deal no longer seemed possible.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  6. The investor took a minority stake in the new media company.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  7. Supporters reply that clubs needed the cash, especially after the pandemic.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  8. 2021, 2022 and 2024.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  9. The investor is paid back over many years.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  10. The firm pays cash now in return for a share of future income.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

Test 10Contested predictionsTake a test

  1. Critics expected weaker games; supporters pointed to new nations taking part.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  2. Supporters argue hosting can bring change; critics doubt it.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  3. Uzbekistan's and Jordan's first qualifications were cited as examples.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  4. Crowds and deals have grown sharply, but many clubs still lose money.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  5. Owners say the smaller clubs gain money and expertise.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  6. The 2023 ruling opened the door without deciding the outcome.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  7. Qatar 2022 was moved to November and December for this reason.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  8. 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

  9. Rotation decides which confederations may bid.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · applied

  10. Spain proposed its own grounds for the final, so the choice was contested.

    Source: League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting · recall

Sources

IFAB, FIFA and UEFA regulations and reports / club and federation statements / published coaching literature / peer-reviewed studies / contemporary reporting

  • FIFA and UEFA decisions and competition regulations; FIFA Congress of December 2024; contemporary reporting50
  • League, FIFA and UEFA announcements; broadcaster statements; regulator decisions; contemporary reporting50