New 48-team format explained: how the expanded group stage works
June 10, 2026 ยท By yayscore Newsroom
Updated:
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For the first time in history, 48 nations will play at a single World Cup, reshaping the group stage and the road to the final.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup expands from 32 to 48 teams, the largest field in tournament history.
Teams are split into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed sides advance to a brand new round of 32. From there the tournament continues as a straight knockout.
The expansion adds 40 matches compared to Qatar 2022, taking the total to 104 fixtures across 39 days and three host nations.