The 2026 World Cup promises to be an unprecedented event in football history with its first edition featuring 48 teams instead of the previous 32. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this edition will feature an innovative format divided into 12 groups of 4 teams. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 32, increasing the competition to a total of 104 matches over 39 active days from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
As of now, 16 teams have already secured their places in this expanded tournament. Among them are the host countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—who qualified automatically. In South America, the six qualified nations are Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, and Paraguay. Asia has already seen six teams earn their spots, including Japan, Iran, and South Korea. In Africa, Morocco has confirmed its participation, while in Oceania, New Zealand is also qualified. In Europe, where 16 places are directly allocated, France is well positioned to join the final phase.
This new format disrupts the traditional World Cup structure. With 12 groups of 4, the group stage will take place over more than two weeks, followed by a knockout phase that now includes a round of 32. Each team will play three matches in the first round, as before, but the introduction of the best third-placed teams offers a second chance to several nations, making the competition more unpredictable and intense.
The organization by three countries and the use of very large-capacity stadiums, often dedicated to American football, promise a spectacular atmosphere. This World Cup will last 39 active days, longer than previous editions, to ensure the smooth running of the 104 matches. It offers football fans a month and a half of exceptional football and marks a turning point in the history of the World Cup.