FIFA's Bold Expansion: How the 2024 World Cup Will Smash Records

FIFA's upcoming World Cup boasts a record 48 teams, breaking new ground and bringing fresh faces like Cape Verde and Uzbekistan into the spotlight. Held in North America, the event aims for record attendance and offers sky-high ticket prices, focusing heavily on entertainment and global appeal.

FIFA is set to make history with an unprecedented 48-nation World Cup, a move that includes debut appearances by teams such as Cape Verde and Uzbekistan. Scheduled to be hosted in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, the tournament will span 16 venues and aims to eclipse previous attendance records.

The draw, held at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, marks a significant shift in FIFA's strategy, focusing on creating a spectacle beyond the soccer field. Ticket prices range from $60 to $6,730, reflecting the event's ambition to cater primarily to the affluent 1%.

Prominent leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, will grace the draw, underscoring the event's political significance. Legendary athletes will partake in the ceremony, adding a layer of star power. The expansion to 48 teams offers new nations a chance for the world stage, setting a new tone for future tournaments.

(With inputs from agencies.)