The World Cup is already planning a big expansion in 2026, but organizers reportedly have designs to grow the tournament to an unprecedented size.

The 2026 edition, which will be played across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will expand from 32 to 48 teams.

• Organizers had initially planned to break teams into 16 groups of three, with the top two in each group advancing to the knockout stage.
• However, FIFA is considering a shift to 12 groups of four, in which the top two teams from each and eight third-place teams would advance to a 32-team bracket, according to multiple sources.
• While 16 groups of three would grow the World Cup from a total of 64 games to 80, the alternate arrangement would extend it to 104.

Mixed Incentives

The 16-group plan would mean that 16 teams would play only two games instead of three, and could lead to scenarios where opposing teams don’t have much to play for or could be tempted to play for a draw.

It would also make simultaneous final group-stage games impossible.

FIFA has not made any public statements on the matter, and any official changes would likely be decided on next year.

The organization previously sought to double the frequency of the World Cup to every two years before being dissuaded by UEFA, CONCACAF, and other entities.

The NBA is opening its doors to some of the world’s biggest pools of money.

League owners voted to allow sovereign wealth funds, pensions, and endowments to buy minority stakes in teams.

• Any investment must receive approval from the league’s board of governors. 
• The league has said that human rights and geopolitical standing will be factored into these decisions, which could affect potential investment from notable funds such as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
• The league’s new rules only permit passive investments.

Public pension funds held around $21.4 trillion in 2021, while sovereign wealth funds held roughly $10.5 trillion. The NHL is reportedly likely to follow the NBA’s lead in allowing institutional investors.

Private Party

The NBA began allowing private equity investors to buy limited team stakes in 2020. Private equity firms may own up to 20% of a franchise, and no investment fund may own more than 30% of a team.

Arctos Sports Partners holds stakes in the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils.

Dyal HomeCourt has pieces of the Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, and the Kings.

The investments allow owners to partly cash in on rising team values without giving up control of their franchises.

Fenway Sports Group may explore a partial sale of Liverpool FC after putting the storied soccer club up for sale in November. 

“FSG has said before that under the right terms and conditions we would consider new shareholders if it was in the best interests of Liverpool,” FSG told The Athletic.

The Premier League club has yet to receive a “compelling offer” — with a $4.45 billion valuation Liverpool is the fourth-most-valuable soccer team, per Forbes.

• FSG also owns the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Penguins.
• The sports investment company bought Liverpool in 2010 for $353.4 million. 

Underwhelming offers for Liverpool may be the byproduct of a potential sale of Premier League rival Manchester United, which along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is owned by the Glazer family.

The Glazers have hired The Raine Group, which handled the $5.4 billion sale of Chelsea, for a potential transaction and is reportedly looking for more than $7.2 billion for Liverpool.

Potential Buyers 

A consortium comprised of private investors from Saudi Arabia and Qatar is planning to present an “initial bid in the region of $3.9 billion” for the team, according to the Sporting News.

Liverpool has also received interest from Mukesh Ambani, owner of the Indian Premier League’s Mumbai Indians. The oil, retail, and telecom entrepreneur is the richest sports team owner in the world and  could handle FSG’s hefty asking price with a net worth of $97.5 billion.

Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment is mulling its options on a potential bid, while Los Angeles Clippers owner and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer wasn’t interested in buying another sports franchise as of last month.

Audi won’t enter Formula 1 until 2026, but it’s already making massive investments.

The German auto manufacturer, which will be the power unit supplier for Sauber, is expanding its manufacturing capabilities to support its new role. Audi acquired a stake in Sauber as part of the deal.

• Audi is expanding its Neuburg facility with a roughly 10,000 square-foot building that will include test benches for power unit development.
• The facility, which opened in 2014, has been used to forward Audi’s other racing efforts including Formula E, the World Endurance Championship, and the Dakar Rally.
• Audi has already added around 220 employees since announcing its entry into F1 in October and plans to bring on another 80 people by the middle of next year.

The expanded team will help develop the new vehicle’s energy recovery system, electric motor, battery, combustion engine, and transmission. The first tests of the power unit are planned for 2025.

Cleaner Machines

Audi was convinced to join the global racing series due to its growing commitment to sustainability. Engine regulations for 2026 include sustainable fuel and an electric drivetrain that provides nearly the same level of power as the combustion engine.

Porsche — which like Audi is owned by Volkswagen — expected to join F1 in 2026 through a deal with Red Bull, but the latter backed out. It is still interested in striking a deal with another F1 team.