Explained: Why the 2026 World Cup is on a one-day break

Football fans will have to wait another day for 2026 FIFA World Cup action, as Wednesday marks the tournament’s first scheduled break since the knockout stage began.After weeks of near-daily fixtures across the United States, Canada and Mexico, FIFA has paused the competition to allow the remaining teams time to recover before the quarter-finals.The tournament has now been reduced to its final eight teams, leaving only seven matches to determine the next world champion. With fewer fixture