FIFA: 48 teams in the final tournament of the World Cup from 2026 in a reform passed unanimously

The World Cup, from 2026, will include 48 national teams in the final tournament, as compared to the current number of 32 (from 1998 until the 2022 edition), in a reform passed unanimously the FIFA Council meeting in Zurich (SUI), on 10/01/2017. This format change was championed by the new president of the international federation, Gianni Infantino (ITA-SUI), elected on 26/02/2016.

FIFA selected four formats of enlargement of the final phase of the World Cup in a circular addressed to the national federations on 19/12/2016. Two proposed an expansion to 40 teams, and two to 48 teams.

The 48 teams will be divided into 16 groups of 3. The first two of each group will qualify for the Round of 32 - the beginning of the knockout rounds of the competition.

The format from 2026

• Number of teams: 48, divided into 16 groups of 3
• Number of matches: 80
• Number of days: 32

The format until 2022

• Number of teams: 32, divided into 8 groups of 4
• Number of matches: 64
• Number of days: 32 (from 14/06 to 15/07/2018 for the 2018 World Cup in Russia)

48 team World Cup would allow an 18…