World Cup: Bigger Tournament, Fair Play and Penalty Rules Explained

In a recent World Cup mailbag, fans' most pressing queries about the upcoming 2026 tournament were addressed by officials and experts. The competition will feature an expanded format with additional teams, and FIFA has introduced strict air‑conditioning standards to ensure temperature fairness for players in all venues.

A new 'stutter' penalty, which adds a brief pause before a free‑kick after certain fouls, aims to reduce game‑breaking infractions and will be enforced throughout the tournament.