New 48-team format for FIFA World Cup

World football’s governing body FIFA has voted to expand the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 edition of the tournament

WORLD CUP 2026


Round of 48
16 groups of 3 teams
Matches: 48

Top two teams in each group progress to knockout rounds 
Round of 32 16
Round of 16  8
Quarter-finals  4
Semi-finals  2
Third-place play-off  1
World Cup Final  1
Total 80 matches

PREDICTED REVENUE
2026
*Qatar 2022

$bn
6.5
Russia 2018 5.5
Brazil 2014 4.8
South Africa 2010 1.4
Germany 2006 1.9
Japan/S. Korea 2002 1.5
* No figures available

Finalists play seven matches,
same as 32-team format

Source: FIFA