Soccer World Cup to allow many more nations in 2026
Summary
FIFA will expand the Soccer World Cup from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 tournament, most likely held in North America. The new format includes 16 groups of three teams each, leading to a knockout round, and aims to include more countries from different continents.Key Facts
- The World Cup will grow to 48 teams, adding 16 more from the current 32.
- The 2026 tournament is likely to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
- The format will have 16 groups of three teams, with the top two in each group advancing to the next round.
- FIFA expects 80 matches total, up from 64, and projects about $1 billion more in revenue.
- More teams from Africa and Asia may qualify—up to nine each, compared to fewer before.
- The new format may slightly lower the overall quality but will bring excitement in more countries.
- FIFA plans to use penalty shootouts to prevent teams from playing for draws in three-team groups.
- The number of stadiums used should remain around 12, similar to recent World Cups.
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