Number of participating teams, group stage, round of 16, qualification system: everything you need to know about the 2026 World Cup, a competition with an expanded format of 48 teams and co-organized by three countries, the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Published on: 02/28/2026 - 09:06

The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, from June 11 to July 19. A World Cup which will see 48 teams compete for the first time, 16 more than the previous edition in Qatar.

At the end of the first group stage, the first two in each group will obtain their ticket to the round of 16, joined by the eight best third-placed players, determined according to the usual ranking criteria.

From June 28, 32 teams will continue the competition in a direct elimination table, with eighths, quarters and semi-finals, until the grand final which will crown the new world champion on July 19 at the New York stadium in Newark, New Jersey.

Read alsoWorld Cup 2026: which countries qualify for the competition and the play-offs?

Here is the detailed instructions for the competition.

A new format for the 2026 World Cup: 48 teams and 12 groups

Approved in 2017, the increase in the Men's Football World Cup from 32 to 48 teams from 2026 requires a review of the format, which since 1998 had provided for a group stage with eight groups of four teams, the first two winning their ticket to the round of 16.

In 2026, there will be twelve groups of four teams, ensuring those qualified to play at least three matches. The first two in each group as well as “the eight best thirds” will advance to the round of 16, introduced for this occasion.

Such a revolution in the format explodes the number of matches. There will be 104 matches in total during this edition in North America, compared to 64 in previous editions. To be world champion, there will now be eight matches to play, compared to seven in the old format.

The group stage

The groups for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup were established following the draw, held on December 5 in Washington. The 48 qualified teams were thus divided into 12 groups of 4, from group A to L.

Read alsoWorld Cup 2026: here is the complete draw for the competition, from groups A to L

During this group stage, each team will play three matches: one against each of the other teams. The ranking system remains classic: three points for a victory, one for a draw, zero in the event of a defeat.

In the event of a tie, the teams are decided according to the following criteria:

Since Euro 1984, the third matches of each group have been played simultaneously to avoid any arrangement. A rule put in place following the “match of shame” at the 1982 World Cup which caused the elimination of Algeria. Indeed, the Fennecs had won against Chile (3-2) and could claim qualification. But the next day, Austria – qualified no matter what – and West Germany – who needed a victory – made arrangements. Final result: 1-0 victory for the FRG which effectively eliminated Algeria.

Once concluded, this group phase will qualify the first 12 and 12 second places in each group. The eight best third-place finishers in the phase are drafted to complete the table.

How are the best thirds determined?

Already in force during the Euro and the CAN, the system of drafting the best third-placed teams is making its debut at the World Cup. A qualification method which sometimes gives rise to crazy scenarios like during the 2024 Africa Cup when Ivory Coast, miraculously drafted via this system, then won the competition.

Here are the criteria established by Fifa to decide between them

The knockout stages

After the groups, the competition will finally enter its highlight with the knockout matches. For the 32 teams still in the running, no more room for error. With the expansion to 48 teams, the qualifiers will begin with a round of 32 unprecedented in the history of the competition.

In the event of a tie at the end of regulation time, a 30-minute extension is played, followed if necessary by a penalty shootout to decide between the teams.

The table of confrontations is already pre-established in order to integrate the different possible scenarios linked to the qualification of the third places. It guarantees a clear sequence from the eighth, quarter and semi-finals to the decisive match for the world title. The unsuccessful semi-finalists will play a classification match for third place.

The long road to qualifying

Before getting there, the 211 national selections recognized by Fifa go through a long sieve of the qualifiers. Each confederation has its own system, its own rules and its own quota of qualified people:

Intercontinental play-offs will offer two additional places, with six teams belonging to five confederations competing in an elimination competition. The names of the 47th and 48th World Cup qualifiers will be known on March 31, 2026.

The host country(ies) are automatically qualified for the competition. There are three for the 23rd edition: Canada, the United States and Mexico.

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