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TRIBUNLOMBOK.COM, MATARAM – The 2026 World Cup is predicted to be the most festive and intense tournament in history.

With the new format, the number of participating teams increases from 32 to 48, featuring a total of 104 matches. This expansion is expected to place a tremendous physical burden on players and create major challenges in terms of recovery.

“In my opinion, this new format has both positives and negatives. The positive aspect is that it gives more countries the opportunity to participate, including Indonesia which came very close,” said Antonius Lao, coach of Bali United Academy Mataram, during the Jemput Bola Tribun Lombok podcast.

With more teams, the number of matches automatically rises from 64 to 104. The tournament duration will also be extended, as after the group stage, teams will still have to go through a round of 32.

“This makes things complicated. The tournament will be longer, and the negative side is that every player will need top-notch recovery. Every team, I think, will struggle with this issue,” said the coach, who is widely known as Coach Anton.

With so many matches, players will inevitably face fatigue — like experiencing a “month-long fast,” where both players and fans are continuously engaged in a packed schedule. As a result, player recovery time will be far from ideal.

According to Coach Anton, ideally, a player needs at least one week between matches to complete a full recovery cycle — including rest, nutrition, and regaining peak performance.

Under the new format, the tight schedule will make it extremely difficult for players to reach 100 percent physical condition for each game.

Higher Game Intensity

Additionally, the new regulations introduce the concept of “effective playing time,” such as a 5-second limit for throw-ins and goal kicks, and a 10-second limit for player substitutions. This forces players to stay in constant motion with minimal breaks.

This means players can no longer “relax” during matches. On the other hand, it poses a serious challenge for recovery.

Beyond physical strain, players are also at risk of psychological fatigue due to the relentless schedule — especially those coming from European leagues that are already congested before the tournament begins.

Geographical and Weather Factors

For the first time, the World Cup will be hosted across three countries — the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The long travel distances between the host nations and the extreme time zone differences will significantly impact player endurance.

Coach Anton explained that even a one-hour time difference can feel like an entire day for the body to adapt.

Moreover, players will have to adjust to drastic temperature changes — from the heat of Miami or Mexico to the cold climate of Canada.

In conclusion, under this exhausting new setup, the teams that will excel are not just those with strong tactical systems, but those with deep and balanced squads between starters and substitutes.

Equally important will be the support from nutritionists and medical teams to maintain player fitness throughout the tournament.