A 48 team World Cup in 2026 - How has the World Cup format changed since 1930?

Canada, Mexico and the United States' 'United' bid, winning the hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup

2026– UNITED STATES, CANADA, MEXICO - 48 TEAMS - 80 MATCHES:

The 2026 World Cup is set to be the largest World Cup competition in football’s history. 16 groups made up of three countries each will battle for a spot in the knockout phase. With the top two teams from each group advancing to a 32-team knockout stage.

The increased number of teams have given continental confederations a chance to enter more associations into the tournament, with the Confederation for African football the biggest gainer, securing places for a further four countries on top of the five that could already enter. Whilst the change also means that the Oceania Football Confederation are guaranteed one team at the World Cup, a feat they failed to achieve this year with New Zealand losing out to Peru in the playoff for a place.