The New 48-Team Format

World Cup 2026 introduces the largest tournament in FIFA history

48

Teams

12

Groups

104

Matches

3

Host Countries

How It Works

1

Group Stage

48 teams are divided into 12 groups of 4 teams. Each team plays 3 matches (once against each group opponent).

Group

A

Group

B

Group

C

Group

D

Group

E

Group

F

Group

G

Group

H

Group

I

Group

J

Group

K

Group

L

Advancement: The top 2 teams from each group (24 teams) plus the 8 best third-placed teams advance to the knockout stage.

2

Round of 32

32 teams compete in 16 single-elimination matches. This is a new stage not present in the 32-team format.

Match 1
Match 2
Match 3
Match 4
Match 5
Match 6
Match 7
Match 8
Match 9
Match 10
Match 11
Match 12
Match 13
Match 14
Match 15
Match 16
3

Round of 16 to Final

The tournament continues as usual with single-elimination knockout rounds.

Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final

How Third-Place Teams Qualify

With 12 groups, the 12 third-placed teams are ranked. The best 8 advance to the Round of 32.

Ranking criteria (in order):

  1. Points (3 for win, 1 for draw, 0 for loss)
  2. Goal difference
  3. Goals scored
  4. Fair play points (yellow/red cards)
  5. FIFA ranking at start of tournament

Old vs New Format

Aspect Previous (32 teams) 2026 (48 teams)
Total Teams 32 48
Groups 8 12
Teams per Group 4 4
Group Stage Matches 48 72
Knockout Teams 16 32
Total Matches 64 104
Tournament Days 32 39
Host Countries 1 3

Tournament Bracket

Round of 32

32 teams

16 matches

Round of 16

16 teams

8 matches

Quarter-finals

8 teams

4 matches

Semi-finals

4 teams

2 matches

Third Place

2 teams

1 match

Final

2 teams

1 match

Matches by Host Country

🇺🇸

United States

11 venues

Total matches 78
Including Final Yes
🇲🇽

Mexico

3 venues

Total matches 13
Opening match Yes
🇨🇦

Canada

2 venues

Total matches 13
First WC matches Historic

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did FIFA expand to 48 teams?
The expansion allows more nations to participate in football's biggest event, increases revenue through more matches, and gives emerging football nations a chance to compete on the world stage.
Will there be more draws/ties in group stage?
The format keeps 4 teams per group (not 3 as originally proposed), so each team still plays 3 group matches. This maintains competitive balance while expanding the tournament.
How are the 48 slots distributed by confederation?
  • UEFA (Europe): 16 teams
  • CAF (Africa): 9 teams
  • AFC (Asia): 8 teams
  • CONMEBOL (South America): 6 teams
  • CONCACAF (North/Central America): 6 teams
  • OFC (Oceania): 1 team
  • Intercontinental playoffs: 2 teams
Is this the first tri-hosted World Cup?
Yes! This is the first World Cup hosted by three countries. Japan and South Korea co-hosted in 2002, but never before have three nations shared hosting duties.

Ready for the Draw?

The official group stage draw will determine which teams face each other.

View Schedule & Key Dates