World Cup 2026 sparks predictions, rule updates, player bonuses and related promotions
Economist Joachim Klement, who correctly predicted the last three World Cup winners, forecasts the Netherlands will win the 2026 tournament. His model factors in national wealth, population, football culture, ranking and a random element.
FIFA has expanded the competition to 48 teams, increasing matches to 104 and introducing a round of 16. New VAR provisions allow reviews of yellow‑red cards, corner‑kick goals and player‑misidentifications. Time‑wasting penalties and stricter discipline measures have also been added.
The German Football Association (DFB) has hinted that player bonuses for a successful 2026 campaign will exceed those paid for the 2022 World Cup, tied to the larger prize pool and higher federation revenues. Specific amounts have not been disclosed.
German companies and brands are leveraging the event: BURNHARD offers a “starting eleven” of grills and pizza ovens at a 20 % discount, while Blizzard’s World of Warcraft introduced a limited‑edition trophy that players can earn by completing a quick in‑game challenge.
A notable tie‑in is the presence of 29 current or former Borussia Dortmund players and staff in the tournament squads, underscoring the club’s influence on the global stage.