What is the format of FIFA 2026?

New format

The tournament would be completed in 39 days, an increase from 32 days of the 2014 and 2018 tournaments. Each team would still play three group matches, with the top 8 third-placed teams joining the group winners and runners-up in a new round of 32.

What is the FIFA format for 2026 World Cup?

Change in FIFA format for the 2026 World Cup

The FIFA Council revised the 2026 World Cup group stage structure to 12 groups of four teams from 16 groups of three teams, bringing the total number of matches up to 104 from 64 in the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

How will the 2026 World Cup format work?

In 2026, 48 teams take part in the World Cup -- 45 qualifying nations plus the three host countries. It's been confirmed that, as hosts, United States, Mexico and Canada won't have to go through the North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) qualifying competition.

Will 2026 World Cup format change?

The World Cup group stage format for 2026 was changed to 12 groups of four teams from 16 groups of three teams by FIFA's Council on Tuesday, increasing the total to 104 matches from 64 in the 2022 tournament in Qatar. To win a World Cup, a nation will have to play eight games, up from the seven in place since 1974.

What format does the World Cup use?

It begins with the round of 16 (or the second round) in which the winner of each group plays against the runner-up of another group. This is followed by the quarter-finals, the semi-finals, the third-place match (contested by the losing semi-finalists), and the final.

EXPLAINED! The NEW World Cup FORMAT for 2026...🏆

What is the format of World Cup 2025?

The tournament will adopt a new 32-team format and will take place every four years, with host countries to be announced. The FIFA Council has unanimously approved the key principles of the new 32-team FIFA Club World Cup™, which will be played every four years as of June 2025.

How many games are in the 2026 World Cup?

More teams means more games, and FIFA says there will be 104 matches played at the 2026 competition. This is a massive increase not only from the 64 matches played in Qatar in 2022, but also from the 80 games originally confirmed for the upcoming tournament.

How will the 2026 World Cup be different to previous World Cups?

The World Cup group stage format for 2026 was changed to 12 groups of four teams from 16 groups of three teams by FIFA's Council on Tuesday, increasing the total to 104 matches from 64 in the 2022 tournament in Qatar. To win a World Cup, a nation will have to play eight games, up from the seven in place since 1974.

Where will the final of the 2026 World Cup be?

The date of when the final will be held, is Sunday, July 19, 2026, as has been announced in March 14, 2023. More information about the World Cup final, most probably in host city New York, will be available here as soon as it is confirmed.

Is the World Cup going from compact to super sized in 2026?

TORONTO, Dec 16 (Reuters) - With the most compact World Cup ever reaching a climax on Sunday in Qatar, the baton will be passed to 2026 co-hosts the United States, Mexico and Canada for what will be a super-sized global soccer showcase with more games and travel - and much more beer.

What is the format for the World Cup 2026 with 48 teams?

The FIFA World Cup 2026™, to be played in Canada, Mexico and the USA will have a new format, featuring 48 teams (16 more than Qatar 2022™), 104 matches (40 more than the last edition), additional teams in the knockout phase and the need to win more matches to lift the World Cup.

What is the new world format?

The typical 64-match format that FIFA has used since 1998 would be increased to 80 matches. The new format puts teams in 12 groups of four, with the top two and eight best third-place teams progressing to a round of 32.

How many stadiums needed for World Cup 2026?

There will be a total of 16 venues used as host cities for the 2026 World Cup. The U.S. will have 11, Canada will have 2, and Mexico will have 3. Additionally, the 2026 World Cup will debut an expanded format featuring 48 teams–as opposed to 32–split into 12 groups of 4.

Who will host 2030 FIFA World Cup?

The Uruguay–Argentina–Chile–Paraguay 2030 FIFA World Cup bid is an intended joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup by Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile. The tournament's name would be Centenary World Cup. The intended bid had initially been shared between only Uruguay and Argentina.

How many Concacaf teams go to the World Cup 2026?

So, 35 teams from the confederation can take part in World Cup qualifiers. For the 2026 World Cup, though, 32 teams will fight for World Cup qualification as Canada, Mexico and the United States have already got their spots automatically confirmed as the tournament hosts.

Will the US ever host a World Cup?

The United States has hosted the men's FIFA World Cup on one occasion prior to the upcoming 2026 event.

What city is the 2026 World Cup in USA?

Most of them (11) are located in the USA: Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Boston and New York. The Mexican headquarters will be in Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City. Finally, the Canadian venues are Vancouver and Toronto.

What US cities are hosting the 2026 World Cup?

What will be the 2030 World Cup?

The 2030 FIFA World Cup will be the 24th FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial international football tournament contested by the men's national teams of the member associations of FIFA. The event will mark the centennial of the first World Cup.

Who is automatically qualified for 2026 World Cup?

Three nations in CONCACAF—Canada, Mexico and the United States—automatically qualified as host nations. On 28 February 2023, CONCACAF announced the qualifying format for 2026 World Cup qualification.

Why are 3 countries hosting the 2026 World Cup?

The trio of nations hosting the 2026 World Cup — the USA, Canada and Mexico — will divide games up between them with certain group-stage matches based in one nation to reduce travel.

Which country has won the most football World Cup?

Brazil, the only team that has participated in every World Cup, is also the most successful team in the competition, having won five titles and finished second twice. Italy and Germany have four titles each, with Germany having reached more finals than any other team, eight.

Where is the 2030 World Cup being held?

South American nations to compete against joint bid by Spain, Portugal and Ukraine to host tournament in its 100th year.

How will the new Club World Cup work?

Ahead of its congress in Kigali, Rwanda, FIFA announced on Tuesday that the 2026 World Cup will have 104 matches instead of the current 64 games due to the expanded format with 48 teams taking part. The governing body also greenlit an enlarged Club World Cup which will be played every four years from June 2025.