Grafstrom’s message appears to be about more than logistics. The expanded field is being sold as a chance to widen the game’s reach, not just to add more fixtures.
That is the upside wants front and centre. More places means more stories, more regions engaged and, potentially, a tournament that feels more global than ever.
Still, the scepticism is real. The football calendar already looks stretched, and player workload remains one of the sport’s live arguments. There is also a broader concern over competitive balance: will expansion deepen the drama, or dilute the edge that has long defined a World Cup?
’s line, as Grafstrom reportedly indicated, is that the medium- and long-term gains outweigh those worries. That may prove true, but the real verdict will come when the tournament starts and the new format is tested under the brightest possible lights.
Grafstrom also used the trip to underline ’s wider development message. Reports suggest he praised China’s youth structure and signalled a desire for closer work with the local association. That fits a familiar theme: the World Cup is the flagship, but youth development is the pipeline.
The next big step is simple. As 2026 draws closer, attention will shift from reassurance to detail - scheduling, squad management and whether the expanded format can deliver the scale wants without losing the sharpness football expects.