FIFA World Cup 2026 explained: How the new 48-team format works
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in the tournament's history, expanding from 32 to 48 teams following a vote by football's governing body in January 2017. Spread across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada, the competition will feature 104 matches — 40 more than at Qatar 2022. Teams are divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two and the eight best third-placed sides advancing to a new 32-team knockout stage. The eventual champions will play eight matches before lifting the trophy at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 19 July. Al Jazeera’s Joanna Gasiorowska explains. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile WorldCup2026 #FIFA2026 #48TeamWorldCup #GianniInfantino #USMexicoCanada2026 #WorldCupFormat #MetLifeStadium #FootballExplainer #RoadTo2026 #FIFAExpansion
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