How the 2026 World Cup Works
The biggest World Cup ever — a new format explained
48Teamsup from 32
12Groups of 4A – L
104Matchesover 39 days
16Host cities3 nations
From 32 to 48
1998 – 202232 teams8 groups of 4 → Round of 16
→
202648 teams12 groups of 4 → new Round of 32
With 16 more teams, 2026 adds a brand-new Round of 32 knockout round. The top two from each of the 12 groups qualify automatically (24 teams), and the 8 best third-placed teams fill the remaining spots — making a 32-team knockout bracket.
Who advances
1st × 12 = 12
+
2nd × 12 = 12
+
Best 3rd × 8 = 8
=
32 in the knockouts
Best Third-Placed Teams
Once the group stage is played, the third-placed teams are ranked here; the top 8 advance.
Loading standings…