World Cup 2026 Format Explained
The 2026 FIFA World Cup introduces an expanded 48-team format — the largest in tournament history. Here's how every stage works, from the group phase to the Final.
48
Teams
12
Groups
104
Matches
16
Venues
What Changed from Previous World Cups
Every World Cup from 1998 to 2022 used 32 teams in 8 groups of 4. The 2026 edition expands to 48 teams — adding 16 more nations, 4 more groups, and a new Round of 32 knockout stage. The most significant change is the third-place advancement rule, which has no precedent at this scale.
| Previous (2022) | New (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Teams | 32 | 48 |
| Groups | 8 groups of 4 | 12 groups of 4 |
| Group matches per team | 3 | 3 |
| Teams advancing | Top 2 per group (16) | Top 2 + 8 best 3rd (32) |
| Knockout rounds | R16, QF, SF, Final | R32, R16, QF, SF, Final |
| Total matches | 64 | 104 |
| Duration | 29 days | 39 days |
Group Stage
The group stage runs from June 11 to June 29, 2026. All 48 teams play 3 matches each, producing 72 group stage fixtures across the 16 venues.
12 Groups of 4
48 teams drawn into 12 groups (A through L). Each group contains 4 teams.
3 Matches Each
Every team plays the other 3 teams in their group once. 36 group stage matchdays total.
Top 2 Advance
The 1st and 2nd place teams from each group qualify automatically (24 teams).
Best 8 Third-Place
The 8 best third-place finishers across all 12 groups also advance to the knockouts.
Third-Place Advancement: The 495 Possible Scenarios
The most complex part of the new format. After the group stage, the 12 third-place finishers are ranked against each other. The top 8 advance to the Round of 32. With 12 groups, there are exactly 495 unique combinations of which 8 third-place teams could advance (mathematically: 12 choose 8 = 495).
How third-place teams are ranked
Third-place teams from all 12 groups are compared using the same tiebreaker criteria as within groups:
- Points earned in the group stage
- Goal difference
- Goals scored
- Fair play record
- Drawing of lots
This means finishing third doesn't automatically eliminate a team. A third-place team with 4 points (1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss) will almost certainly advance, while a team with 1 or 2 points likely won't. The cutoff typically falls around 3 points — making the final group match critical for every team, even those already eliminated from the top 2 spots.
Where third-place teams land in the bracket
FIFA has a predetermined bracket structure that assigns third-place qualifiers to specific Round of 32 matchups based on which groups they came from. This prevents teams from the same group meeting in the Round of 32 and ensures geographic diversity in the bracket.
Knockout Stage
The knockout stage begins July 1 and runs through the Final on July 19, 2026. All knockout matches are single-elimination — lose and you go home. If a match is tied after 90 minutes, it goes to extra time (2 halves of 15 minutes) and then a penalty shootout if still level.
Round of 32
32 teams · 16 matches
Group winners, runners-up, and third-place qualifiers paired based on FIFA's bracket structure
Round of 16
16 teams · 8 matches
Winners from the Round of 32 face off
Quarter-Finals
8 teams · 4 matches
Eight remaining teams compete for semi-final spots
Semi-Finals
4 teams · 2 matches
Final four battle for a place in the Final
Final
2 teams · 1 match
The championship match to crown the World Cup winner
Tiebreaker Rules
When two or more teams in the same group finish on equal points, FIFA uses the following criteria in order to determine the final standings:
- 1Points (3 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss)
- 2Goal difference (goals scored minus goals conceded)
- 3Goals scored
- 4Head-to-head points between tied teams
- 5Head-to-head goal difference
- 6Head-to-head goals scored
- 7Fair play points (fewer yellow/red cards = better)
- 8Drawing of lots by FIFA
16 Venues Across 3 Countries
The 2026 World Cup is the first hosted by three countries. Matches will be played across 11 cities in the United States, 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada.
United States (11 venues)
MetLife Stadium
New York/New Jersey
82,500
SoFi Stadium
Los Angeles
70,000
AT&T Stadium
Dallas
80,000
Hard Rock Stadium
Miami
65,326
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta
71,000
Lumen Field
Seattle
69,000
Levi's Stadium
San Francisco
68,500
NRG Stadium
Houston
72,220
Lincoln Financial Field
Philadelphia
69,796
Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City
76,416
Gillette Stadium
Boston
65,878
Mexico (3 venues)
Estadio Azteca
Mexico City
87,523
Estadio Akron
Guadalajara
49,850
Estadio BBVA
Monterrey
53,500
Canada (2 venues)
BMO Field
Toronto
45,736
BC Place
Vancouver
54,500
Key Dates
Try the Bracket Predictor
Rank all 12 groups, pick your third-place qualifiers, and predict the knockout bracket through the Final. No account required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams are in the World Cup 2026?▾
The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 48 teams, marking a major expansion from the 32-team format that was standard from 1998 to 2022. This 50% increase makes it the largest World Cup in history. The 48 teams are divided into 12 groups labeled A through L, with exactly 4 teams in each group. This structure ensures every team plays 3 group stage matches before the knockout rounds begin. The expansion aims to give more nations the opportunity to compete on football's biggest stage.
How do third-place teams qualify in World Cup 2026?▾
Once all 72 group stage matches are complete, FIFA ranks the 12 third-place teams from all groups against each other. The ranking uses the same tiebreaker criteria applied within groups: total points, goal difference, total goals scored, fair play points (based on yellow and red cards), and finally drawing of lots if still tied. The top 8 ranked third-place teams advance to the Round of 32 knockout stage. Because you're choosing 8 teams from 12 options, there are exactly 495 mathematically possible combinations (12 choose 8 = 495). Generally, third-place teams with 4+ points qualify, while those with 1-2 points are eliminated.
How many matches are in the World Cup 2026?▾
The 2026 World Cup will feature 104 total matches over 39 days. The group stage accounts for 72 matches, as each of the 48 teams plays 3 games (12 groups × 6 matches per group = 72). The knockout stage adds 32 more matches: 16 in the Round of 32, 8 in the Round of 16, 4 quarter-finals, 2 semi-finals, and 1 Final. Notably, there is no third-place playoff match in this format. This represents a significant increase from the 64 matches played in previous 32-team tournaments.
What are the World Cup 2026 tiebreaker rules?▾
When two or more teams in the same group finish with equal points, FIFA applies the following tiebreaker criteria in order: (1) goal difference (goals scored minus goals conceded in all group matches), (2) total goals scored, (3) points earned in head-to-head matches between the tied teams, (4) goal difference in head-to-head matches, (5) goals scored in head-to-head matches, (6) fair play points (teams lose points for yellow and red cards), and finally (7) a drawing of lots conducted by FIFA if all previous criteria are equal.
When does the World Cup 2026 knockout stage start?▾
The knockout stage begins on July 1, 2026, with the newly introduced Round of 32. This round runs from July 1-4 (16 matches over 4 days). The Round of 16 follows from July 5-8, Quarter-finals on July 9-10, Semi-finals on July 14-15, and the Final on July 19, 2026. The championship match will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York/New Jersey metro area), which has a capacity of 82,500 spectators. All knockout matches are single-elimination with extra time and penalty shootouts if needed.
Where is the World Cup 2026 Final?▾
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will take place on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, serving the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. With a capacity of 82,500, MetLife Stadium is one of the largest and most modern venues hosting the tournament. It's home to the NFL's New York Giants and New York Jets. The stadium opened in 2010 and has hosted Super Bowl XLVIII, international football matches, and major concerts. This will be the first World Cup Final held in the New York area.