How many teams will compete in the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark a historic shift for international football's premier tournament, as it will feature an unprecedented number of competing national teams. This upcoming edition will see 48 teams vying for the coveted trophy, a substantial increase from the 32-team format that had been in place since the 1998 tournament. The decision to expand the field was officially approved by FIFA in 2017, reflecting a broader vision for global participation in the sport.

This expansion to 48 teams means a significant restructuring of the tournament format. Instead of the previous eight groups of four, the 2026 World Cup will now consist of twelve groups, each comprising four teams. Following the group stage, the top two teams from each group will advance, along with the eight best third-placed teams, to a new Round of 32 knockout stage. This revised structure will also lead to a considerable increase in the total number of matches played, jumping from 64 games to 104, making it the longest FIFA World Cup in history.

The motivations behind this expansion include providing more opportunities for nations worldwide to experience the excitement and prestige of participating in a World Cup. It aims to foster football development in more regions and potentially generate greater revenue. The 2026 tournament itself will be a groundbreaking event, as it will be jointly hosted across three North American nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States, another first in the competition's long history.