<p>The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">2022 World Cup</a> has already been filled with drama and unpredictable moments throughout the group stage. After all, tournament contenders Belgium, Germany, and Uruguay have all been knocked out of the competition. Underdogs like <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/south-korea-qualifies-for-knockout-round-in-frantic-finish-20221202-WST-410891.html">South Korea</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/japan-spain-survive-explosive-world-cup-group-germany-out-20221201-WST-410785.html">Japan</a>, and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/morocco-advance-after-solid-win-against-canada-20221202-WST-410740.html">Morocco</a> have also thrillingly qualified for the knockout round.</p>



<p>One of the most exciting aspects of the World Cup is the last round of group stage matches. While the early games of the tournament are spaced out so that viewers can catch all of the games, the final matches of each group are played at the same time. This is done to ensure all teams play their best and do not manipulate matches.</p>



<h5>‘Disgrace of Gijón’ changed the rules</h5>



<p>The rule to play these games at the same time was put into place back in 1986. It was implemented after a match refereed to as the “<a href="https://theathletic.com/3643998/2022/11/15/west-germany-austria-disgrace-of-gijon-world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Disgrace of Gijón</a>” at the 1982 World Cup. West Germany beat Austria 1-0 in the game, but both teams qualified for the next stage. The fixture was the last to be played in the group and both teams knew exactly what was needed to advance.</p>



<p>West Germany quickly went up 1-0 in the match and then both teams finished the fixture in lackluster fashion. FIFA claimed that no laws were broken by either team, but rearranged game times for the following World Cup. </p>



<h2>No more simultaneous World Cup games, other changes</h2>



<p>It has been rumored that FIFA is toying with the idea to switch to groups of three teams for the 2026 World Cup. This would most likely signify the end of simultaneous group stage games. The move would open the door for defensive soccer and possibly match manipulation.</p>



<p>In 2022, the simultaneous games at the World Cup provided serious drama on the last matchday of the group stage.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The moment Luis Suárez saw that South Korea scored <a href="https://t.co/2rBRldpcMB">pic.twitter.com/2rBRldpcMB</a></p>— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598721463141425157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>The next edition of the World Cup would also see 48 teams involved rather than 32. Under the new plan, FIFA would put three teams in 16 different groups, as opposed to the current format of eight groups of four teams.</p>



<p>Along with the disappointing group stage shakeup, FIFA could also include <a href="https://theathletic.com/3949146/2022/11/30/world-cup-group-shootouts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">penalty shootouts</a> for draws in the group stage as well. This would potentially give shootout winners an extra point in their group.</p>



<p>Soccer fans, however, will hope that the governing body of the sport has a change of heart of the decisions. The simultaneous final group stage games are chaotic and enthralling.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Sportimage</em></p>


FIFA may end simultaneous World Cup group stage games

Simultaneous World Cup group stage games could be coming to an end. FIFA is contemplating new format for the 2026 tournament.

<p>The USA mascot for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/2026-world-cup-cities-reveal-live-thread-20220616-CMS-390036.html">2026 World Cup</a> emerged today in early designs and logos. The tournament, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/07/03/who-should-host-the-world-cup-final-in-2026/">co-hosted</a> by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is the first tournament to involve three countries hosting games. It is just the second tournament to have more than one host. South Korea and Japan jointly hosted the 2002 World Cup.</p>



<p>Mascots are a <a href="https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/world-cup-mascots-in-history#:~:text=Mexico%201970%3A%20Juanito%20Following%20in,World%20Cup%20broadcast%20in%20colour." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mainstay of the World Cup</a>. In 2014, Brazil unveiled <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/world-cup-2014-fuleco-fifa-brazil-mascot-environment-goal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fuleco</a>, an armadillo. The leopard Zakumi showed up for the World Cup four years before then. Even Qatar 2022 has a mascot, <a href="https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/laeeb-is-revealed-as-qatars-fifa-world-cup-tm-mascot" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La’eeb</a>, but FIFA left interpretation over what the mascot is up to viewers and fans.</p>



<p>Now, there are early leaks over what the USA mascot is for the 2026 World Cup. There is also an indication over what Canada and Mexico have.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Leaked logo and mascot designs for the 2026 World Cup…are they really serious with that mascot for Mexico 🇲🇽 ? 🤦🏽 <br><br>What do you think of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USMNT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USMNT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CANMNT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CANMNT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ElTri?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ElTri</a> looks? <a href="https://t.co/a5QZrUU4qg">pic.twitter.com/a5QZrUU4qg</a></p>— CABRA FC 🐐 (@cabrafutbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/cabrafutbol/status/1583571909626646529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Broken down, the United States is clearly Uncle Sam, the patriotic fictional hero of the country. Canada’s mascot is a moose, a fitting animal for the northern country. Mexico’s is a cactus. The cactus is certainly the most outlandish of the three shown above.</p>



<h2>USA mascot for 2026 World Cup</h2>



<p>Uncle Sam is a fitting mascot for the USA at the 2026 World Cup. Not only is Uncle Sam easily recognizable, but he is actually a human. It makes the ‘realism’ aspect more applicable, even if there is no precedent for realism when it comes to World Cup mascots. After all, the Qatar 2022 mascot resembles a ghost.</p>



<p>The Canadian mascot, a moose, is fairly standard when it comes to a World Cup. Generally, when an animal is involved, it is something that has a connection to the country itself. Russia had a wolf. France used its famous rooster in 1998. The first World Cup mascot was a lion when England hosted the World Cup in 1966. That fits, as England is, after all, the Three Lions. In this case, a moose might be one of the more fitting mascots of late.</p>



<p>Mexico is where things get interesting. Having hosted twice before, Mexico had some things to go off. In 1970, Mexico has a baby in a sombrero with the name Juanito. The sombrero is a staple of Mexican culture. Sombreros returned in 1986. However, the thing wearing the sombrero was a giant chili pepper. To be fair, the chili pepper, named Pique, resembled a human.</p>



<p>In 2026, the cactus also has human features. Arms, legs, a face and that reliable sombrero returns to the fold. However, with an eagle and a snake also prominently on the Mexican flag, those maybe could have fit in better with the theme.</p>


USA mascot for 2026 World Cup leaked

The mascot for the USA, Mexico and Canada World Cup in 2026 leaked, giving fans a first look at the characters for the World Cup.

Latest news from World Cup 2026. Find out about all the news related to World Cup 2026 on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "World Cup 2026 - Page 8"

News

FIFA may end simultaneous World Cup group stage games

News

USA mascot for 2026 World Cup leaked