FIFA World Cup 2026: Brackets and teams
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has expanded to include 48 teams, with a new format involving 12 groups of four. The article provides an overview of the tournament structure and the progression from group stages to the knockout rounds.
Why it matters
As the largest FIFA World Cup in history, the 2026 tournament represents a significant shift in global sports logistics and fan engagement.
This year's FIFA World Cup started off with 48 teams, the most in the competition's history. In the group stage, 12 groups made of four teams each played 72 matches, bringing down the number of qualifying teams to 32. Follow teams and their journey through the subsequent stages until the final match for the trophy.
The content is purely informational and descriptive regarding sports tournament logistics.
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