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The new 48-nation format of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to bring a fresh twist to the world’s most prestigious football tournament, according to German football analyst Adrian from Spietalg Indonesia.

Indeed, the distribution of teams across the group stage appears more balanced than ever before, making it difficult to identify the so-called ‘group of death’ in this edition, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Instead, countries that have long been absent—or even making their debut in the finals—could offer new colours to the competition. Among them are Norway, Turkey, Scotland, Haiti, Austria, Iraq, and Congo.

Austria, Norway, and Scotland share a common story: their last World Cup appearance was in 1998 in France. This means that these three nations are returning to the tournament after 28 years, having missed six consecutive editions.

Iraq, on the other hand, secured their place through the intercontinental play-offs. Under the guidance of Graham Arnold, the team known as the Lions of Mesopotamia has qualified for the first time since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

Even more remarkable is Haiti, returning to the global stage after more than five decades since their last appearance in the 1974 World Cup held in West Germany.

“In my opinion, what makes this edition interesting are teams like Tunisia, Iraq, and Norway, who are returning after such long absences,” Adrian said during a Tribunnews podcast.

“This is the unique flavour of this World Cup, different from previous ones. Before, there were only 32 teams, and that format had been in place for about two or three decades,” he added.

“So even though this is a new format, I have no doubt that we’ll still see exciting matches throughout the tournament,” he continued.

According to Adrian’s prediction, the group stage—given the relatively balanced team strengths—may not produce many major upsets. Surprises are more likely to emerge in the knockout rounds, which this year will begin from the Round of 32.

Teams will need to ensure sufficient squad depth and optimal player preparation. One crucial aspect to highlight, Adrian noted, is player fitness, as many have endured packed schedules in their club seasons, especially in Europe.

This factor will be vital for coaches in managing player rotation and match minutes effectively.

“The 48-team format actually just delays the climax a bit because of the larger number of participants—whether they are debutants or returning nations,” he explained.

“The key point to watch is how each team manages the workload of its players. We all know that European competitions—like the Champions League—just concluded less than 24 hours ago,” he added.

“That’s why the World Cup favourites must focus on preparing their players’ physical condition to remain fit for the Round of 32, Round of 16, and all the way to the final,” Adrian concluded.

With just 11 days to go before the grand tournament kicks off, the opening match between Mexico and South Africa will take place at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 02:00 WIB.