The 2026 FIFA World Cup will look a little different than previous installments.
Starting with the size of the field.
For this year’s World Cup, the field expanded to 48 nations, up from the previous number of 32. This means the field is divided into 12 four-team groups, and it also means that the knockout stage begins with the round of 32, and not the round of 16, as in previous World Cups.
That also means that teams that finish in third place in a group could still advance.
To complete the round of 32, in addition to the top two teams from each group, the eight best third-place teams will move on as well.
Starting with the size of the field.
For this year’s World Cup, the field expanded to 48 nations, up from the previous number of 32. This means the field is divided into 12 four-team groups, and it also means that the knockout stage begins with the round of 32, and not the round of 16, as in previous World Cups.
That also means that teams that finish in third place in a group could still advance.
To complete the round of 32, in addition to the top two teams from each group, the eight best third-place teams will move on as well.
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