The 2026 World Cup is the first 48-team edition. Here's exactly how groups, knockouts and qualification work.
The 2026 World Cup expands from 32 to 48 teams across 12 groups of four. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to a new Round of 32. From there the bracket follows the familiar single-elimination format through Round of 16, Quarters, Semis, the third-place match and the Final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.