The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is set to be the most expansive and dynamic edition in the tournament’s history, featuring an increased number of participating teams, additional matches and an enhanced competition format designed to elevate the global football experience.
Here is how it works:
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will feature 48 participating teams, an increase from the previous 32-team format
Teams will be divided into 12 groups of four
Each team will play three matches during the Group Stage
A total of 72 group-stage matches will be played, up from 48 in past editions.
After the group stage, a new round begins:
The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-place teams, will advance to a newly expanded Round of 32, beginning in late June 2026
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From that stage forward, the tournament will follow a knockout stage format, with teams competing in single elimination matches through to the Final:
Round of 32
Round of 16
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Third place match
Final
Each match in the knockout will be a direct elimination fixture: the winning team advances to the next round, while the losing team is eliminated from the tournament.
The tournament will culminate in the Final on 19 July 2026, where the two remaining teams will compete to be crowned FIFA World Cup 2026™ champions. For the first time in FIFA World Cup™ history, the finalists will play eight matches, an increase from the traditional seven, reflecting the expanded format of the competition.
For a detailed overview, including a video explaining the match schedule, please click here.