There will be seven groups of four teams each. Teams will play every other team in their group once, either at their home venue or at the opposing teams home venue. The matches will take place between 18 September and 31 October 2023. The four best-ranked teams from each group (units) advance to the quarter-finals.

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:43:54 +0000

**Why the New 7-Group Format is Generating Momentum in US Sports Fans** Every major tournament ecosystem evolves, and 2023’s revamped match structure is sparking fresh discussion among sports fans. The schedule today features seven carefully calibrated groups of four teams, each playing every other team once across home and away venues between September 18 and October 31. This strategic format creates dynamic matchups that heighten anticipation, reduce back-to-back fatigue, and deliver varied coaching narratives—ideal for keeping audiences engaged throughout the entire tournament window. For US fans increasingly focused on interactive and immersive sports experiences, this structure taps into a growing preference for predictable yet unpredictable contest variety. While the announcement may seem routine to some, the way teams are grouped plays a crucial behind-the-scenes role in balancing competitive integrity with fan appeal. By avoiding single-rotation groupings and enabling reciprocal play—whether at a team’s home ground or the opponent’s—fans get balanced exposure to divisional rivals and cross-conference tacticians. This approach reinforces fairness while amplifying regional pride and travel excitement for in-person viewings. The tightly scheduled window from mid-September into early November aligns with a natural lull between summer sports cycles and Thanksgiving, matching peak mobile browsing times and deepening audience focus. For those tracking the schedule, the four best-ranked teams from each group automatically advance, streamlining bracket clarity and elevating early playoff potential. This clear, merit-based filtering appeals to informed fans who value data-driven progression, fueling conversation across apps and social feeds. Though no names or creators are highlighted, the format’s logic—structured matches, balanced fixtures—has become a subtle but compelling talking point in today’s football (soccer) landscape, particularly as US audiences seek meaningful, accessible insights into evolving event designs.