A record 64 nations will be in Friday's FIFA World Cup draw, more than 30% of the organizations' members, as soccer's leaders insist a bigger tournament is better.
FIFA expanded the field from 32 teams to 48, and just 42 spots have been determined going into the convoluted ceremony in which balls representing nations are plucked from bowls and assigned to groups per rules that restrict who goes where. Twenty-two teams in Friday's draw are headed to playoffs that determine the final six berths on March 31.
There will be 104 games instead of 64 in the World Cup running from June 11 through July 19 at 16 venues throughout North America. Seventy-eight games will be at 11 NFL stadiums, including all from the quarterfinals on, and 13 each in Mexico and Canada. The final is at MetLife Stadi

NBC Chicago Sports

Boston Herald
The Baltimore Sun
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sports
RadarOnline
Associated Press US News
WCPO 9
Atlanta Black Star Entertainment
The Babylon Bee
CNN Crime and Justice
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Essentiallysports Basketball
Ann Arbor News Life