But Brisbane organisers welcomed the call, saying it would ensure 2032 Olympic and Paralympic sports were unveiled in the same year for the first time.
The Olympic body usually determines the sport line-up for a Games seven years ahead of the opening ceremony, with Brisbane set for a 2025 reveal.
However the International Olympic Committee has decided to delay it until 2026 to give Brisbane organisers more time to "review and validate critical sporting infrastructure projects".
The Queensland government is yet to unveil a 2032 infrastructure plan almost four years after Brisbane was named host city.
The sport program delay may be perceived as another false start for the 2032 Games, former Winter Olympic speed skater and Australian track cyclist Emily Rosemond said.
"I don't think it is a good look," Ms Rosemond, Queensland University of Technology's Director of Sport, told AAP.
"As a consequence sports are going to be impacted. Pushing that timeline back creates a bit of uncertainty for emerging sports hoping to be included but also sports unsure of their place beyond LA (2028).
"And think about the athletes. Six years is a pretty small window. Preparation takes years and there are no short cuts - I can certainly attest to that."
But Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris said the program delay ensured both Olympic and Paralympic sports would be delivered in 2026, streamlining the organising committee's Games delivery.
The 2032 venue blueprint will be revealed by the state government on March 25 following a 100-day review, finally ending speculation over what stadiums will be built.
The decision to delay the sport program was independent of the infrastructure review, a Brisbane 2032 spokesperson said.
"A key reason for the decision was to deliver the 2032 Olympic sports programme and Paralympic sports programme in the same year, streamlining sport engagement for the organising committee," the spokesperson said in a statement.
"Discussions on the sport programme commenced last year, prior to the 100-day review being announced."
There have been a number of false starts since Brisbane was named host in July 2021 under Annastacia Palaszczuk's Labor government.
But the Liberal National government had hoped to fire the 2032 starting gun by launching the 100-day venue review after claiming the October 2024 election.
Since the review panel submitted its report on March 8, there has been speculation a new major stadium in Victoria Park has been recommended and reports a planned Brisbane Arena may be relocated or scrapped.
Funding for the Games' $7.1 billion infrastructure will be split 50-50 between the state and Canberra.
The Commonwealth will inject about $3.5 billion, with $2.5 billion for Brisbane Arena which was initially set to host swimming.
The federal government had been adamant it would not provide more cash, ensuring Queensland may have to look to private investors for cost blowouts.
Asked if he would reconsider commonwealth funding if Brisbane Arena was axed, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday the government supported the Brisbane Arena.
"We support an indoor arena not just because of what it will do for the Olympics but importantly ... it will provide an ongoing indoor venue for things like concerts and other activities.
"I will discuss respectfully with the premier the issues, but we are very clear about our funding being capped."
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli initially insisted no new stadiums would be built for 2032 after winning the election and ordering the venue review.