What the World Cup will look like in 2026: 48 teams, more ...
In 2026, 48 teams take part in the World Cup. How will it work and what will it look like? We break down the new-look tournament.
www.espn.co.ukShort answer: the 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams.
Context and details
- Format and hosting: The expanded tournament takes place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with 48 teams competing for the title.[3][8]
- Match total: The 2026 edition will include 104 matches, the largest in World Cup history, reflecting the expanded field.[2][3]
- History of expansion: FIFA approved increasing the field from 32 to 48 teams in 2017, with the change implemented in 2026.[4][3]
Illustration
- In practical terms, the tournament moves from eight groups of four (32-team format) to 16 groups of three-plus-one formats, then introduces a Round of 32 to accommodate the larger field and maintain a knockout stage.[3][4]
Key takeaways
- 48 teams participate, across three host nations.
- 104 matches are played, distributing games across more venues and groups than previous editions.
- The expansion aims to broaden global participation and increase revenue and development opportunities for football worldwide.[2][4][3]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest official FIFA details or provide a concise country-by-country qualification status as of now. Please note: I’m citing publicly available sources that summarize the current understanding of the 2026 World Cup format and team count. Sources: Sporting News article on 48 teams and hosts; ESPN/DAZN breakdown of 2026 format; FIFA expansion history coverage.[8][4][2]