FIFA World Cup 2026 explained: How the new 48-team format works

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in the tournament's history, expanding from 32 to 48 teams following a vote by football's governing body in January 2017. Spread across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada, the competition will feature 104 matches — 40 more than at Qatar 2022. Teams are divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two and the eight best third-placed sides advancing to a new 32-team knockout stage. The eventual champions will play eight matches before lifting the trophy at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 19 July.

Al Jazeera’s Joanna Gasiorowska explains.

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