Final answer:
The minimum number of matches in the next World Cup will be 57. the correct answer is (d) None of these.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the minimum number of matches in the next World Cup, we need to follow the given format of the tournament.
There are 12 teams divided equally into 2 groups, so each group has 6 teams.
In the group stage, each team plays against all the other teams in the same group. So, each team in a group plays 5 matches. Since there are 6 teams in each group, the total number of matches in the group stage is 6 * 5 = 30 matches.
Next, 3 top teams from each group move on to the next round, where they play against each other once. There are 6 teams in the next round, so the total number of matches in this round is 6 * (6-1) / 2 = 15 matches.
After this round, 4 top teams qualify for the semifinals, where they play against each other once. There are 4 teams in the semifinals, so the total number of matches in this round is 4 * (4-1) / 2 = 6 matches.
Finally, 2 top teams go to the final round, where they play the best of three matches. Hence, the total number of matches in the final round is 2 * 3 = 6 matches.
The total number of matches in the next World Cup will be 30 + 15 + 6 + 6 = 57 matches.