FIFA will be making adjustments to the World Cup in 2026. For the first time ever, 48 teams will feature in the tournament. An additional 16 teams will get their chance to shine on the world’s biggest stage.

But things might not go well for Canada. In past tournaments, the host has automatically qualified for the World Cup. This means that they didn’t have to play any games to earn their spot in the World Cup. Their spot in the tournament was given to them because they were the hosts, not because of their talent. However, Canada may not get the same treatment in 2026. Despite being the hosts, FIFA may make Canada go through the route of playing games to qualify.

Although the 2026 World Cup will be the largest ever, the problem lies in the amount of hosts. Due to there being an unprecedented number of hosts, FIFA has yet to decide on whether they will allow the hosts to automatically qualify.

If Canada is forced to play games in order to qualify for the World Cup, it will be easier than past tournaments since the amount of spots given to North America has increased. In recent tournaments, North America has been given three spots. A fourth spot is also available, but it is a playoff against another team from another continent to determines who qualifies to the World Cup.

With the increased amount of teams, North America will be given six spots. That might still be a struggle for Canada as they failed to make the last round of the 2018 qualification in North America, which also consisted of six teams.

It is not known exactly when FIFA will vote on their decision, but it should be before the World Cup qualification games begin. We should know whether Canada will automatically qualify for the World Cup by the early months of 2023.