Veteran coach Andrew Price breaks down FIFA World Cup 2026 format and knockout outlook

Veteran football coach Andrew Price says the 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered strong competition from the opening matches, despite predictions that expanding the field to 48 nations would weaken the tournament.

Price told listeners that winning comes down to a simple principle: the side that scores more goals takes the match. He outlined the main roles on the pitch — goalkeepers, who alone may use their hands; defenders, who shield the goal; midfielders, who link play forward; and forwards, whose job is to finish.

At international level, he said, the pace and technical standard rise above typical club football, with elite players from leagues worldwide brought together under one national flag.

Forty-eight teams are split into 12 groups of four. The top two in each group advance automatically, and the eight best third-placed sides join them in a 32-team knockout bracket. From the round of 32 onward, every match is win or go home, through the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals, to the final. Tied games after 90 minutes can go to 30 minutes of extra time, then penalties; if still level after five kicks each, sudden death applies until one team misses.

Price pointed to South Africa’s win over South Korea as proof that lower-ranked sides are closing the gap, helped by FIFA investment in coaching and development. He also noted greater global representation at club level.

FIFA has introduced measures to speed play, including a 10-second window for substituted players to leave the pitch — with a one-minute delay for the replacement if they do not — and a rule requiring any player receiving on-field treatment to stay off for a full minute. On scheduled hydration breaks, Price said teams can reset tactics and shift momentum, citing a match where Australia rallied after trailing Turkey when play resumed.

Knockout play begins on June 27. Price expects coaches to field their strongest combinations and more players to step up in do-or-die fixtures, beyond established stars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Asked for a winner, Price said sentiment favours Brazil, but he rated France as the strongest squad in the competition.