A decision to switch the 2026 World Cup format back to four-team groups could be confirmed later this month.

The expanded 48-team competition in the United States, Mexico and Canada was due to feature 16 groups of three.

But the excitement generated by last year’s tournament in Qatar, when some groups went down to tense final games, has caused FIFA to rethink.

Confirmation of the move could come at the governing body’s council meeting in Rwanda on March 16.