(VOVWORLD) - FIFA said on Tuesday that World Cup 2026 will have 48 teams of 12 groups competing in 104 matches in total.
 Argentinian national football team raise the trophy of World Cup 2022, the last tournament with 32 teams. (Photo: Reuters)
|
Aside from the top 2 teams in a group, 8 teams in third place with the best stats will be qualified for the knockout stage.
World Cup 2022 had 32 teams, 8 groups, and 64 matches played over 29 days. To enter the final, a team has to play 7 games, which has been the case since 1998.
The teams in the World Cup 2026’s final will have to play 8 games over 39 days.
The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be jointly hosted by 16 cities in three North American countries: Canada, Mexico, and the US.